This year's love

My gallant steed.

I'm back at work.  I never found that four day work week on the North Shore, nor did I write that super epic novel that I know is in me but which would take more than drinking like a Hemingway to actually complete.
That's on me: I didn't go back to school.  And I maybe added a thousand words to the book that I have been working on since time immemorial.
I went for a hike with a friend today, who is basically where I was about a year and a half ago: undecided in her life; fed up with her job; worried about her finances; and wanting to have some life experiences with someone by her side.
A million years ago when I lived in Kerrisdale, I used to go for many long walks with another friend who was having problems in his own relationship.  He was totally unhappy, but couldn't pull the trigger to end it.
When I returned to my job, one of the first things one of my coworkers did was come over to my space and unload on how unhappy she was with her position at work.  Prior to this, she had called me at home when I was on leave, unloaded on me for an hour about the dismal working conditions, and then asked if I would be coming back to work in July.
My friend from today?  She'll be still wrestling with her issues for a year or two, but she is actively trying to change her situation.
Big D from Kerrisdale?  He eventually moved on from his relationship, bought his own place, got in wicked good shape, and I got to say hi to his ex-boyfriend at his recent surprise 50th.
My coworker will be where I am longer than I am, because she's more invested in complaining about her station in life, than actually effecting any change.
Before I get up onto my little soapbox here, I must acknowledge my wonderful husband who has been trying to drill this into my head for about ten or fifteen years, and who tries to be supportive when I come to these very basic conclusions in life which he has so patiently been waiting for me to arrive at.
And so, perched so precariously on this soapbox?  I say check yourself.
When you are complaining about something for more than a couple of months?  Change that thing.  When you allow it to continue for months, and even years?  It's on you.

Super moon!

And when you rehash that conversation with the same person over and over again, while at the same time not doing anything to change it?  You're kind of an asshole.  Don't bring people down because you feel down, but then go on to make no changes.
This one time?  When I was young and actually cared and thought I might amount to something?  I was a supervisor and a woman who thought the job should had gone to her (based solely on her age and seniority) kept on coming into my office and unloading her shit on me.  I was like 25 and didn't know how to deal with it so I went to my boss who I really did (and still do) respect and she said that I should tell disgruntled employees that my office door was open if they had a problem, as long as they brought along a proposed solution.  Visits to my office noticeably decreased.
At 37 (holy fuck: I'm 37) I'm not getting my CGA.  I'll ride my current job out because it's lucrative and it financially advances what Michael and I are trying to achieve, which is an early exit out of the rat race.
I get that work sucks.  I've been back for two weeks and my heart palpitations have really shot up which isn't great.  And the commute sucks.  But I also know that yoga is there on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I also know a 10k run that I can do on Wednesdays and Fridays, so I will get four workouts in, while also missing rush hour traffic.

Find the answer.
Make the change.