So I've been in the dumps for months on end now -- no desire to blog, as you will note, Gentle Reader. Started seeing a therapist, and one that Hambone has gleaned great benefit from seeing. What with the holidays, though, I haven't seen him in a month or two. So I go in yesterday and we start talking about my work.

Like I don't get enough work talk at work.

Anyway, we just started on this, but I get the distinct impression that he suspects my depression is my body's way of saying it really hates

1. my job,
2. living in Chicago, or
3. both.

I gotta tell ya, this job is gettin' old. I am starting to really understand why JFS went into business for himself. Working for money guys and deal guys all day long and dealing with Whimsical Executive Behavior (WEB) in the name of educational goals is infuriating. And, frankly, I'm tired of seeing a never-ending string of shitty decisions made for the sake of the almighty dollar.

Man, it just wears on me.

Anyway, back to the counseling. The good Dr. C. proceeds to tell me several anecdotes of patients past who hated their jobs and were depressed. These patients had the guts to quit what they were doing, pick up, and go where they wanted to be to do what they wanted to do. Presto! No more blues.

I'm sitting there thinking "Holee shit -- this again?"

Because it isn't the first time I've just stepped out of line and gone to do something else. That's what I did when I left grad school to come here.

But the thought of doing it again: energizing, terrifying, perplexing.

Again, we are just getting into this topic in therapy. I'm spending many of my free moments mulling it over, though.

The Hambone and I went down to Atlanta for Xmas, to spend time with my family. This Christmas was notable for several reasons:

• My siblings and their significant others were all there, as was my grandmother. It was a full house.
• We stayed with my brother Dorito Icee for the most part, as he moved to Jonesboro last year. So it was the first time I've ever stayed at his place for more than a night. And we hung out for a while, and went shopping to boot at IKEA, which I've never been to before. Dorito Icee and S got a new puppy: a border collie named Lexie. She was a marvelous little pooch, and renewed our desire for a doggie.
• We got another gander at EAB, our new niece. That is, I got an extended look, as Hambone and LWB went shopping and I got to stay home with Monkeyboy to take care of the kid.

Enough talk! Now, for some pics!

Xmas day with the folks >>Hanging out with Dorito Icee and S >>Little EAB in the football carry >>