12

The light clicks on in a cold room.

Computer power, on.

We're beyond the reach of centralized heat. The baseboard heater and computer processor compete to heat the room first. The heater always wins. Fit for purpose, too hot to touch. The thinking laptop surface offers a convenient spot to warm the hands. Something the heater cannot offer. The computer hums smugly.

The almost impercepitble hum of electronic components is all you can hear. Silence fills the room. The day is too young to have a soundtrack.

Open, the notebook. Write out the tasks. Stay on task. The mind warms up with each additional square not yet ticked. Each line a hit of domamine to be release upon complete. Start with some trivial ones to get a taste.

The room is coming to life. The shallow winter sun comes in through the window. Too bright, a breezy curtain drawn to help disperse the assault of photons.

This is the golden hour. The engine is warmed, the open road is next.

Get any step wrong and the wheels could fall off. There's no one else helping keep the car on the road.

It's all on you.