Pause

Got through the week. Staffing shortages and heavy caseload made it more difficult than it needed to be. Yesterday was a voluntary day, I should have been extra, but wound up covering a sick call. Still, I have a job, and I know enough to be grateful for that blessing these days. Closed tomorrow, and off until Monday, so a real little holiday. One surgeon and his fellow whizzed through twelve surgeries in two rooms yesterday in nine hours. Yes, they did a good job. Not all the good surgeons I've known have been fast, but all the fast ones have been good. They just don't dither and waste time, they go in with a plan and are very efficient. And yesterday's doc was motivated to keep it rolling, since everyone wanted to get away. Smallish procedures, mostly, as well. Carpal tunnel and trigger finger releases usually take about ten to twenty minutes, plus MAFAT*.

So.

Came home irritable and cranky, bad mood spilling out all over. Used all my not-naturally-occurring cheerfulness at work. Then drove through a flurry of snow and icy roads surrounded by SUV drivers who don't understand physics. Growled at D, took offense at unintended comments, felt the wear on my body. We rushed out to have dinner with a friend, hit every light. On the way back I got badly chilled, shivering into my stressed back. Took me all evening to tease out a milligram of ease.

Woke altogether too early this morning, earlier than I have to when I have to be at work. Yet, I feel better. We plan to go out and find each other small frivolous gifts, just because we can. And a few tokens for his family since we are going there tomorrow morning. And do a charity thing (not letting our right hand know what our left hand is doing.†) And just generally enjoy the hell out of being together for four days in a row.

Have to read a bit of Hogfather.

Not precisely christmas spirit, but a pause to gather.



*MAFAT - Mandatory Anesthesia Fuck Around Time.

†But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.