[=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]
       [<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>]
       [=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]
       
       Stardate: 20221016.2300
       Location: The Lab
       Input Device: Dell 7202
       Audio: Washer
       Visual: Cluttered lab desk
       Emotional: old and sore
       
       [=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]
       
       Enjoying a snack of "kaki no tane," or Japanese rice crackers with 
       peanuts(?) and spiced chai tea.  They didn't have the Kameda brand of 
       kaki no tane I usually get from Mitsuwa Marketplace so I ended up 
       getting the larger Hapi brand.  Good enough, but I'd rather have the 
       individually-wrapped snack-sized Kameda packs than the larger 12oz 
       Hapi bag since it tends to go stale faster.
       
       Last night, I had the opportunity to go roller skating with my 
       daughter at the local roller rink.  She just got a new pair of skates 
       and wanted to try them out.  I was surprised that she bought the pair 
       with her own money since she has only skated a few times with rentals.  
       I guess she likes roller skating now.  She never ceases to amaze me.
       
       So I took her to the rink.  I have not been to this rink before, but 
       I knew where it was.  Aside from the roller rink in COM, I have not 
       set foot in a roller rink since...probably jr. high school. 
       
       We went for the evening, all ages session from 8PM to 11PM.  The 
       rink seemed quite busy, but could have been a usual Saturday night.  
       They were playing the song, "Rehab," by Amy Winehouse.  Some people 
       were dressed in roller disco outfits and hawt pants, others like me, 
       just street clothes.  I brought my roller blades so I wouldn't have 
       to rent.
       
       My daughter is still new to roller skates so I held her hand for the 
       first few laps.  I let her go on her own afterwards.  I was still 
       used to being on roller blades since I had been using them for 
       exercise less than a year ago.  We were happy that they played Lady 
       Gaga, Xandadu, as well as a bunch of old retro classics.
       
       As the night wore on, I started realizing how out of shape I had 
       become.  I had stopped exercising regularly when I got my remote 
       job, about 8 months ago.  I had to take some breaks.  
       
       My daughter just went on skating and was doing fine with and without 
       me.  She fell down a few times, but got right back up each time.  
       She was in the rink the entirenight!  I was so proud of her!  
       
       By the end of the night, I was drenched in sweat and could barely 
       walk with the rollerblades on.  Even though I didn't fall, I was 
       hurtin'.  The soles of my feet were super sore and my back was 
       tightening and on the edge of spasm.  She walked and I slowly limped 
       back to the parking lot.  It was a magical, beautiful night!
       
       [=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]