My girlfriend saw the stack of unopened mail and didn't say anything, which somehow made me more defensive than if she'd complained. I started explaining that most of it was junk and she said she hadn't asked. True. Then I felt stupid because we were having a perfectly nice evening until I invented a lecture for her to give me. I told her I was embarrassed about the mess. She said okay and went back to telling me about work, and I was relieved, but also still embarrassed. I'd like her to feel at home here. Not in the sense of becoming the person who knows where all my stuff is. The other sense. I probably need to say that better.

Got home from the lab and ate standing at the sink, then realised I was still leaning on one hip like I do beside the analyzer. Apparently I carry the bench home with me. My lower back felt tight when I straightened up, nothing dramatic, just enough to make the kitchen chair seem like a good invention. I sat down and suddenly noticed how hungry I was. Also thirsty. The water bottle was still at work because of course it was. After eating I stretched my legs across the other chair and felt much better. Put on a podcast and woke up later with the lamp still on and one sock half pulled off. Not sure what the plan for that sock was.

Saw a used aquarium at the flea market and spent the drive home deciding where it would go. Then remembered the corner is full of boxes and that water weighs quite a lot, so the little table I had in mind is not a plan. I didn't buy it, which is worth mentioning. I've got a sketch now with the filter at one end and plants at the other, and halfway through drawing it I started looking up lights instead of measuring the space. Same old. The interesting part is working out how the whole thing stays balanced; the less interesting part is moving a box of cables I haven't opened in two years. I moved one. Found the tape measure.