Free hugs help

It’s Sunday. As it happens, I do just about the same thing every Sunday. I kick things off at the gym around 10AM, that’s what time my future husband works out, and no, he doesn’t know he’s my future husband; then I read 1/3 of The New York Times, get a latte and walk my dog around the neighborhood while I listed to the This American Life podcast.

But today is different. It’s the Sunday before the IDEA Award deadline. I got up 8AM, skipped the gym and went straight for the latte—double soy plus one equal—gave the dog a bone and scooped up my laptop for a lil 1:1 time…it’s been 5 hours and while I’m in it, at the same time, I’m over it. I’m taking a break.

Back in action, finally a break that paid off—ever since I quit smoking “breaks” seem more like short wastes of time, but not this one. I just got back from a stroll around Green Lake where there were a few people out giving free hugs for Valentine’s Day. I got 7. Normally I don’t care for hugs much, I prefer a handshake or less, but I took a risk today and it was a good one—these entries are now backed by 7 hugs, enough to get me through the next few hours, maybe even through the big day tomorrow. Wish us luck!