war. i mean, work.

today's battles were noteworthy.

i started the day with mild trepidation, but we had no choice. with unshakable determination we marched onward.

about three hours into the fight the pain began. i became light-headed, nauseated. my back ached and my head pounded. i nearly pulled out-- i nearly passed out-- but no, we overcame our first foe.

sustenance! fresh water! provisions! i took all these in, as well as some medicine to help me ignore my pains-- and back to battle we went.

and this time i took the front line. push ahead! turn! advance! each step forward propelled us further, faster, better. step by tedious step we marched into unfamiliar territory, determined, past the point of no return.

so did we win? of course we did.

exhausted, sweaty, covered in blood up to our knees we may have been, but we were victorious.