6 years with my partner last week. Unfortunately coincided with the passing of our cat, but we went out for dinner this week. Then got ice cream and drove to the beach at night, listened to the waves hammer the shore. Upside of living on an island, you're never far from a beach. Downside of living on an island during a climate crisis, eventually the beach comes to you..

Work is on a hiring freeze thanks to yet another fucking review being 'executed'. So our usual manager team of 6 is down to 4, about to be 3, with no proper replacements on the horizon because people want stability in these wild and wacky times. My own team of 7 is working fine, but I know the stress signs. By the time the review is done, we'll be down a few more. Nothing I can do except advocate for my group, and hope the powers that be aim for a functional business, rather than cut more staff to save miniscule costs.

While I was on leave during March, my remaining colleagues met with HR and explained the ongoing issues with my boss. So now her boss, and HR know the full extent. Nothing is happening yet, as they want to talk to me as well. I'm the sole male colleague and they want to know if I've been getting any different treatment.

Building a tunnel house for my garden, a neighbor in our cul de sac showed me her absolutely stunning setup, four tunnel houses, home made compost bins, every plant under the sun is flourishing. So I'm gonna become best pals with the retirees in our street cause fuck they can garden. Growing kumera/sweet potato down south is supposed to be nightmarish but she showed me her collection and now I want in on this.

Writing is going well, starting the editing of the first big project, and writing a second one. It's fun. I never set any daily goal, but I tend to write about 1-2k words each session regardless, and plan a little for the next session. Current story is a sci-fi tale focusing on a weedy logistics administrator accidentally assigned to a warship full of angry soldiers. They launch into various battles and he's along for the ride. It's dumb. But it's fun dumb.

The gaming crew has settled back into Destiny 2. I argued. I didn't want to go down that route again. But it is fun with friends, the gunplay is smooth and I get to be a bit of a menace and let off steam. Currently also playing through that Star Wars: Fallen Order. I heard it was a buggy mess at launch, but it runs well on my PC. I've never been a huge Star Wars fan, so I'm going in with pretty open eyes about the whole thing. So far it's been fine.

Under $1,000 to go on my student loan. Then that's an automatic payrise.. .That I will chuck directly at my mortgage.