When visiting this past weekend, Derek brought an Alexa along, to keep me from future
oversleeps. This young lady and I started off on shaky ground,when I was unable to speak her language, yet this quickly become a part of our past and now I thank her cheerfully when tasks are completed. This morning, however, her thought-lights woke me up (Why yes, I do wear an eye mask and her lights still woke me up). “Alexa…turn of your lights!” “A few things share that name, Which one did you want?” “Alexa…what are you doing?” I’m answering questions and learning more.” Thus, up at 4:27 a.m. The light was so goddamn loud….
Running…. In. A. Car. This kid to school. That kid to (same) school (different time). Quickly to juvenile hall where I see the remainder of my clients needing to be seen, before dashing off to a training session at the shelter. ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are a measurement of negative and positive experiences in a child’s life which are linked to high risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, poor life outcomes and earlier deaths. The higher your ACEs score, the higher risk of such negative impacts on your life. My ACEs score is a 2, so despite my shitty later-adolescence/early-adulthood, my earlier years were golden and accounted for a solid foundation. I am one of the blessed ones…
..and just about EVERY day at work cements this fact in. There are some VERY FUCKED 
UP homes in our world. Homes which may look fine from the outside looking in, but these kids are learning to perpetuate the very cycle they so desperately wish to escape. On days like to today, it knocks me to a point of whimpering helplessness. Then, an opportunity to witness probation working from a different point-of-view. So many teachable moments….
And now from some good, if not painful, news. Tomorrow morning, I will be having my eyes lasered and zapped with PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy). I’m having mono-vision done, which should end the need for any type of lens. My inner-second grader is so goddamn excited. My outer 45 year old, who shrieks and jumps with the tonometry test (air puff for glaucoma), is nervous as fuck and is mortified that only ONE GODDAMN VALIUM has been prescribed. Also – codeine? Really?
However, I will spend the weekend counting up all my MFT/PCC hours WHICH I COMPLETED TODAY, and prepare to get necessary signatures from my supervisor, then deliver them to the BBS by hand as soon as it is ready.
Pictures: Meet my Alexa at 4:30 this ay-em. I had to shoot a small vid to send to Derek to learn how to shut her off; I really spent 20 minutes unknowingly combining the rules of another card game I play in Europe to Uno. This is sad; A happy tree soaking in the rays of THE OVERCAST SKY!; ZERO HOURS REMAINING!!
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