What a November to finally be over. I relocated to Edmonton after my relationship dissolved; worked some ridiculous hours and saw the project that I have worked so very hard on finally go live (3rd of 5 sites is now live). I worked close to 60 hours this week just to get it all done - no exercise during the week, and a lot of "hospital food court" food. Not good! I have friends from home telling me that I need to make some friends and find some balance... uh, YEAH! (duh!). I fully intend to make a friend or two, when I can. I joined the speed skating club in Edmonton and long track skating starts this week. I'm planning to abandon my roommate at work (she'll have the long hours this week, as her side of the project goes live) and meet the other skaters at the first practice on Tuesday. I'm really looking forward to meeting some more skaters / like-minded folks with whom there is no temptation to talk about work, work people, the boss, the industry or anything about healthcare informatics! I really enjoy my work, but it really has taken over my life in the month of November.

So... December is here! I had a great long (14k) run on the track at the gym today, listening to my audiobook du jour ("The Happiness Hypothesis" by Jonathan Haidt), watching the soccer games down below. I don't want to be a weekend warrior when it comes to my fitness, but if that is what it takes, I will do it. I'm still dependent on my roommate for transportation to & from work, and with the crazy hours, I may get up 30 minutes earlier to use the home fitness equipment since I won't be the one working until midnight next week. I've got to make a plan... I think this one will work. I'll be heading home on the 15th, and straight away leaving for a marathon skating event in Lake Placid, so will have five days at home after I return to spend with my dog and my cats. And hopefully some friends. I really need to connect with some of my friends over a pint, more than anything else right now, with some great conversation that gets a bit deeper below the surface. I'm REALLY looking forward to that.

I think December is going to be a good month.