Today was to have been my oldest niece’s birthday, but her little sister has a bad case of the flu and my sister’s house is effectively quarantined.

So, with a Saturday and no plans, I figured this would be a perfect time to try a sensory deprivation chamber.  I’ve been wanting to try one and found one in the area that a friend of mine had gone to.  Yesterday morning,  I called to make an appointment and left a message.  When they called back I found that they were booked solid on every Saturday til the middle of February.

Apparently, I had underestimated the regional appeal for floating in a tank of salt water in the dark.

I’m on call for jury duty next week so I couldn’t really plan for an evening after work, so I just told them I would check back later and reschedule.

And I was bummed. Disproportionately so.  This past week has been a rough one and I was really stressed out.  The idea of the quiet – really quiet – was so appealing and when it didn’t work out, well, I didn’t do well.

I’ve been anxious about jury duty.  Not the task so much, but the uncertainty.  I don’t do well with uncertainty.  Do, or do not – like Yoda said. So tough to plan. And I freaking love to have a plan.

I’ve also been anxious about taking part in a Nielsen Radio survey.  Which, I know, shouldn’t be a big deal, but I’ve been a little obsessed about the accuracy. 

NPR is counting on me.

And the music playing over the loudspeaker at the pool this week – well, it was so shitty that I changed the stroke I was using just so I’d be under water more. It was soooo bad, I can’t even tell you.    

This all came to a head last night and I got a low-grade anxiety attack last – to the point where Jim told me to “go take a hike”.  

Well, he said it nicer than that and he knows that sometimes a good walk is all I need to settle myself down.

Bright and early this morning I was up and kilted – and headed to a local park for a walk.

I didn’t get cold – in face, at one point, I had to take my scarf, hat, and gloves off since I overheated in the sun.

I did, however, have a bit of a problem with chafing.  Should have powdered my nethers before I headed out – lesson learned.

The hike helped, some.  There were a few loud people that I could have done without, but I got a good hike in and didn’t get lost this time.

I think I’ll be better once this coming week is done.  And I think need to take some time and read the rest of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving F*ck”.  

I’m giving way too many.