Back to work
I have six other entries that I'm working on, mostly WisCon-related, but all I have time to actually post this morning is a quick note saying that my leave of absence is now over, and today is my first day back at work.
It's been really nice to have some time off. Sadly, I did only about half of the items on the to-do list that I posted back at the beginning of my leave. (Specifically, I continue to put off the emotionally difficult items.) And I didn't do many of the other things on my to-do list (that list I posted was just a more or less random selection from among the highest priority items; the actual list is probably twice as long, not counting Big Projects). On the other hand, I did do some things that aren't on the list, and I'm in general feeling happier and more relaxed than I was a month ago, so I suppose it's all good. And it's not like I actually thought I would get through that whole list.
The highest-priority thing currently on my to-do list is getting back up to speed on magazine stuff. I've been seriously neglecting my editorial duties for weeks now; I have to buckle down and finalize edits on three imminently upcoming stories, and then send edits on half a dozen slightly less imminently upcoming stories.
What I plan to do at work today: catch up on the past five weeks' worth of email (even though I unsubscribed from all but the essential lists, I imagine there'll be a lot to read); talk with HR about paychecks ('cause they sent me one while I was on leave); order a MacBook.
Those six entries may or may not find their way into completed-and-public form sometime in the next few days. We'll see. I recommend not holding your breath, because I would hate to see y'all asphyxiate.
Edited to add: Forgot to mention that I got six whole hours of sleep last night! (I didn't do the Ambien thing.) That would normally not be enough, but (a) it's significantly more than I've had any night in the preceding week, and (b) I woke up feeling fairly well rested and alert and energetic, though I doubt that'll last the day. So, a step in the right direction.