I knew it was going to be a potentially challenging day

when the last dream I remembered before getting out of bed was that the Earth was being invaded - the sky was dark with alien ships; warehouses on the waterfront were starting to catch fire - and no one else in the dream seemed especially concerned. Hell, even I was only vaguely anxious.

Got up, took a deep breath, coughed - yep, chest cold still holding steady, check - but after a hot shower and a cup of coffee I began to feel like at least a good approximation of myself.

Drove Jackie to school - her first day back after Winter Break - and she was in a reasonably decent mood. I  did not ask why; I know when silence is genuinely golden.

Got back, turned on the work laptop, and got only marginally more done than yesterday. Prospective clients are still almost entirely unresponsive this week, but all I can do is try, right? The point was, I felt there was point.

And the sun was shining strong, nearly all day. Take that, you fucking aliens.