I guess that's why they call it Blue's Clues

Last week, one of my beloved co-workers, Dale, retired after thirteen years. He was an older gay guy who was one of a kind, always helpful, and genuinely joyous and caring of people.

I didn't always think that though.

When he was first hired and came into my office to introduce himself, he did that thing where you move your chair to the right of a person to more aptly command their attention. I read about that as an interview strategy. Somehow or another, I just never bought into his brand of cheeriness.

But as time went on and I got older, I realized he was the real deal, and a role model not just as a platinum standard of HR service, but as an older gay man who was a class act. I teared up something fierce, and couldn't even get words out when we hugged goodbye.

Meanwhile, work plods on, I can never seem to catch up, and I continue to not so patiently wait for my boss to promote me into the role we have talked about me taking for some time. It may only involve a piddly five percent increase, but like I always say, something is better than nothing, and anything to help further deflate my credit card debt is appreciated.

My grandma told me my cousin Christa and her daughter will be joining us for Christmas, which I think is just lovely. I haven't seen her since she and her brother Jim came with my grandma when I graduated from college sixteen years ago. We've also decided to just do a gift lottery type thing this year, which my wallet will most certainly like. Plus, more to waste spend at the casinos!

I'm going to relish these next six to seven weeks of winter and vacation holidays as much as I can, and hope for more crisp, cold weather. Chill times in chilled weather, y'all.