December

"The state is an organization with an effective legal monopoly on the use of force in a particular geographic area." - Max Weber

I'm almost finished with my first semester of school.  All classes are going well, with the possible exception of PCUR.  I just can't find it in myself to care for the class.  Even skipped a test.  But all-in-all, school is going well.  I'm as happy as could be expected.

I still have my occasional memories and flashbacks, though writing them down has helped get a lot out of my system.  They're not as severe or as often as they were a year or two ago.  The drinking, though, remains.

Laelo's one year old today.  Pico is almost five months and weighed in last weekend at 45 pounds.  I've finally started doing individual training with her and it's going well.  Not perfect, but I'm happy.  She's progressing very well.  It's just difficult to recognize her age when visually recognizing her size; Laelo possessed the same temperament at Pico's age but was much smaller.

I'm trying to convince myself to get back in shape.  I want to take the dogs on runs; I want to be in the shape I was during my time in the Marine Corps.  But bigger.  Laziness, nicotine, and alcohol have taken their toll.  Nothing irreparable - just requiring of discipline that has fled.

Still lonely.  Plenty of friends and contact with the outside world, but I long for that one.