f*** around, find out

the meme's been everywhere lately.

today it was mr smear's turn to find out.

he hit a girl in his class today, after harassing another kid who was just trying to quietly read a book. it's the first time i've ever spanked him. i wasn't emotional when i did it - gd and i agreed that it was due, and then it was a matter of picking the right moment - but i was emotional afterwards. i was pretty pissed off that he'd brought us to a place where i need to wield physical authority.

a short while later, after giving him some space to steam, i approached and sat down next to him, and asked him what he was thinking. god knows how effective this experience will actually prove to be, but he basically swore off violence and assured me that he's going to start listening to us.

we'll see.

it's heartbreaking to see him self-destructing. thursday's therapy session can't come quickly enough.

...

i slept alright last night, which was the first time in quite a while. i dropped mr smear off at school, got through the morning rituals, then wasted half an hour with my south african bank.

the weather today was somewhat improved, but still crappy.

work was interesting. i effectively lost a day due to a redesign triggered by a review comment, but i'm definitely happier with where the solution is.

i left work early to pick up mr smear, and we had words all the way home. correction: i had words, and he knew exactly how in the wrong he was and appeared to actually be listening.

we'll see.

i'm very glad that gd found my old keyboard, but this evening that's been the least of my concerns. i'm not sure if i'm having trouble because of the upgrade to windows 11, or because i haven't used this computer in such a long time... either way, slow and steady progress...

...

there's been a mosquito buzzing around me all evening, and i haven't been able to catch the bugger :/