Like someone flipped a switch

 I did some practice last night, and am paying more attention to the breath marks. I have put myself back where I was on trumpet before I moved up here to San Jose from Gilroy, about 35 miles to the south and 35 years behind of here. I still think it's worth it, though. As I've mentioned, I think there are a lot of places where a trumpet would be considered loud and rude, but a flute would be seen as being more "humble" or at least not obnoxious. Humility is not esteemed much here on the mainland but it's a big thing back home. So I think it's worth it, setting myself back for a while here. 

Plus, I am making the savings goals I've set for myself, mainly because of quitting that damn #$%@$%#@$% alcohol that had been such an "essential" part of my life for so long. I'd started drinking in my late 20s, mostly just to fit in, but at times also because I found it enjoyable, or because, on a weekend, I didn't want to think about having to go back to work on Monday at all, or even think at all. There was a Trader Joe's on the corner, a short walk from my place, and Orangeboom beer was both very cheap and and strong. I think it was something like $3 or $4 for a six pack of bottles. 

Even when I was really "skint" I drank a bit, what I could afford. There was a bar I'd go to that had beers for $2 and at least I could get one. Drinking was just part of my life. I still don't think there's anything wrong with one beer on an afternoon but if it's something that's going to grow to take all of a person's savings as well as their health... 

I woke up and packed a few more things bringing my load up to 15 packages, and got out of here a bit after 5. It was already cold out there. It's been like someone flipped a switch and suddenly it's winter. 

The drop-offs went fine and I went to both 99 Ranch and H Mart to get a few things also. Then got back here and listed all but one of the things I'd gotten ready to list. I was just listing the last one when I heard Ken pull up. 

He wrote out my check and dropped off some things to list, and didn't stay for any time at all because he's coming back tomorrow night with some things of his wife's to put on the new shelving he just put in over the weekend. 

Once he was gone I finished listing that last thing.