Really intense, severe thunderstorm outside. Lots of thunder and lightning outside. Very windy. So far power is holding though. Fingers crossed on the power. But the lightning and thunder is intense!

It looks like a lot of UT's systems are having a case of the Mondays. I can't access workday (which means I can't access the performance reviews I need to do), and our scholarships aren't ready for me to work on. So I'm kind of dead in the water at work right now.

Did a small grocery run. $66. For basically some snacks and produce. I have a larger pickup order for tomorrow that has more substantial things. That one is so far at $103 and I need to add a few more things to it. My weekly grocery costs are currently about 50% higher than before Iran. #winning

Wed I sat in a faculty meeting to answer questions about a new degree plan we are proposing. It was on Zoom and Dorian of course made an appearance. One of our new faculty came by yesterday to ask about my cute grey cat and to show me pictures of his cute orange cat. I think we'll get on well.

Sat outside during my lunch break today. It's quiet and the weather is very pleasant. A big difference from last Friday at this time when we were knee deep in commencement. (This is the bell tower of the Presbyterian Seminary across the street from my building.)

I had a meeting this morning with one of our study abroad coordinators. We were looking at a database showing classes that have been approved from Univ of Glasgow. There was one that comes into UT as a MUS class, on the history/repertoire of bagpipe music. You just know I want to take that class!

The graduating senior with the grade issue brought me a nice bottle of wine.

Friday a graduating student had a grade issue in a required class, which I was able to help resolve, so the student could graduate. We were talking to him Friday evening before the ceremony and he was thanking my other advisor and me, and asked us if we would like a bottle of wine in thanks.

Sitting in the dark by an open window, cool air blowing in, cat on my lap, fully charged kindle, my favorite evening hot tea (Vahdam turmeric chamomile with honey), thunderstorms outside. Perfection.

I like coffeeshops because I can pretend that I'm being social without actually having to talk to anyone. No one will bother me while I'm sitting quietly reading a book and no one will think I'm weird for doing so. Plus of course I can get coffee (and coffee adjacent drinks).

Outstanding as per usual!

I woke up at 3:30 and was achy AF. Took a few hours to get back to sleep but I did and just woke up. Probably slept 10 hours all told. Still sore, still sleepy. So I'm heading out soon for coffee.

I just got home from about 12 hours of commencement activities. I am dragging ass. I need to stay up until about 10 to get my last med dose. But it was a wonderful day full of fun and hugs and tears. And in a few weeks we start welcoming our new class.

Today is our commencement. That's this evening. First we have a reception this morning for our graduates. Lots of family, many tears and hugs. I love this day. After we get done with our commencement duties my other advisor and I will get margaritas. It's going to be a fun but looooooong day!

I pulled a muscle in my back Sunday while *checks notes* making the bed. Today at PT, I told my therapist about it and he had me do a couple exercises on that side and it really feels better! He's an absolute wizard PT.

I had a good couple of days off work. Then came in this morning to several messages from my supervisor and some emails from one of our instructors because one of my students died. And our Dean of Students hasn't been able to reach the family so there's been a delay getting information out.

Florence Welch is an enigma. She's so quiet & whispy when she talks to her audience. But the moment she starts to sing something incredible happens & she can command an arena with 10k+ people. Imagine an arena filled with people singing & jumping to Dog Days Are Over. I didn't have to imagine that!

I made it into the Moody Center with a comfy ADA seat. The show doesn't start for a bit so I can relax and do some people watching. (My days of GA are long over.)

Taking today and tomorrow off since the rest of the summer starting Friday is booked thru July. Someone has me on a teams chat because my work computer keeps dinging. I need to turn off the volume, get dressed & go get breakfast tacos. Then sit in a coffeeshop. Then Florence + The Machine tonight!

Mimosa showing of Devil Wears Prada at Flix in Round Rock. Day 2 of 4 day weekend.

At Brewtorium with friends. This is the Tiki Party Boombox, a pineapple sour. It is so freaking good.

It's Friday and my weekend has started. I am taking Mon and Tue off. Seeing Devil Wears Prada 2 on Sunday. Gaming with friends tomorrow. Florence + The Machine on Monday! But this evening will be low key drinking tea, enjoying the unusually cool and wet weather snuggling kitties.

It's a dark, cool and rainy morning! My favorite kind (except when I have to get up at 5:30 & drive to work in the pouring rain & I have astigmatism in both eyes). I made it here & I hope it will still be raining when I get home this evening. Taking M and T off so that I can have a long weekend.

My normal 1pm PT appointment got moved to 2 this week. So I treated myself to La Madeleine for lunch (grilled cheese and of course their famous tomato soup), then drove to the PT clinic. Got there early and just as well. It started absolutely pouring at around 1:45 and rained a good hour.

The air quality in Austin is terrible and we didn't get much rain (just a tiny bit of drizzle). But the temps are quite nice because of the cold front, so I do have my windows open. Dorian approves.

We went from big storms with potential for hail to (once again) not a drop of rain. I'm cool with not getting hail. But it sure would be nice to get some rain. Just one reason I want to leave TX: messed up climate, blazing hot, drought, severe water shortages & doing nothing at all to address it.

Since losing 2 large trees in my backyard it has turned into an urban jungle. Some of the dead grass patches have filled in with various greens. I've seen a variety of butterflies, birds, squirrels, rabbits, a whole host of small animals. And it may be a bit messy looking but I rather like it.

Hahaha well we know the American people aren't his priority. How refreshingly honest for her to tell us so.

Today is the last class day! Finals start on Thursday, and end next Monday. I have a lot happening starting on the 8th through the rest of May, so I'm going to take Monday and Tuesday next week off. Plus I'm seeing Florence + The Machine next Monday! So excited for that show.

The one morning this whole weekend I didn't have to get up to be anywhere and my body says nope you're getting up at 6:30. Even the cats are looking at me like wtf. I guess I'll have an early grocery run. In a bit.

I'm home from the bookstores. Ended up with a few books. I'm in my pajamas with this moocher on my lap (he's fast asleep now so I'm stuck here until he decides to get up). Finishing up This Book Made Me Think of You. Still loving it. It was just what my wild chaotic brain needed. #Caturday

I have made my way downtown to Vintage Books. Picked up a Kate Atkinson book that's been on my I want to buy list for a while. And getting a beverage, as one does when there is a wine bar in your bookstore.

My dreams of late have been wildly chaotic. I wake up tired. I feel like I'm working in my dreams. A little is happening at work so no surprise. I'm going to do a 4 day weekend next weekend to get a break. And I'm seeing Florence + The Machine a week from Monday!

It's Independent Bookstore Day! It's also the weekend before I get paid. I'll hit up a couple of shops but planning to spend a little time at Vintage Books downtown because who doesn't love a wine bar in a bookstore?

Wed night I started a new book at 10PM. By 1am I had to force myself to stop reading. (The book is called This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page.) It has P.S. I Love You vibes (which I love). A woman in London meets her future husband in a bookstore.

As I do most evenings I am in my home office in the chair by the window, window open to enjoy the breeze, cat on my lap, reading. And listening to so so many airplanes heading to the airport, even this late at night. These are regular evening flights. And it will eventually lull me to sleep.

My insurance company approved 12 additional PT visits. But they expire May 14. And there isn't any guarantee they'll pay for them. Silly all around. But I have appts for the next 3 weeks and then we'll revisit trying to get more.

I have PT today and my legs are desperate for some help! It's been 3 weeks, and 3 weeks ago was a light session. The scheduling is because of insurance issues, but I think we'll be changing up the schedule since my insurance said my PT could request additional visits based on medical necessity.

I have a meeting this morning in the business school which is almost as far from my office as possible. And they only have 4 ADA parking spots. So I got here a little early and going to spend some quality quiet time in the library across the street before heading to the meeting.

Finally some rain has shown up!

My goal for today was to get to Inbox Below One Hundred. Despite my best efforts, I'm likely going to end the day with a net gain of 28 from where I was this morning. That is not going in the right direction!

Registration closes today! Most students have registered by now and today is an open day, so I'm using the day to look at my email inbox, which has grown to ridiculous proportions. I won't get to Inbox Zero today but if I can get to Inbox Under One Hundred, I'll be satisfied.

We send out a survey to our graduating seniors every year. Questions about curriculum & instructors, post grad plans, what they think of our advising services. We give them a spot to write comments. One wrote simply Clone Renee & that just made me feel so good. But also lordy yes! I need another me!

I don't love getting up at 5:30 so I am ready to drive in to work at 6:40. I'd even say I actively hate it. But this morning's sunrise was an absolute banger, so I hated it just a little less. But only this morning.

I love a good Downfall meme, and this one is hysterical!

This is the right thing. It's also deeply disappointing all around.

I can't figure out why Bluesky keeps asking me if I'm writing in English. Like seriously fuck off with that already.

Whew all crew are out! I can go get dinner now.

They landed in the Pacific at 5pm to have astro Happy Hour.

Not really surprising they're having issues with their sat phone. Half the time I have issues with zoom or teams with someone 2 blocks away from me.