The morning started as the usual rush at 6AM, and I was up late writing a blog and reading, so it seemed that 6AM was only a few minutes from when I closed my eyes. Mourning sleep by passing through all the phases of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, and final acceptance) in just a few moments, I raised much like Bela Lugosi and started my day.
I made it to the kitchen, started the coffee water, and made toast. I then did all my stretches and exercises and could have closed my eyes (they are done chiefly lying down) and could have found myself dreaming of going to work. But, no, I completed the work and made coffee. I used the liberal Equal Trade Brand packed in Portland in my French Press. I used an extra large cup!
Returning to my in-home office and reading emails, Slack messages, and my personal email. I got caught up with what was happening and even approved some messaging for one computer system undergoing a data correction. I read the news to understand what is happening. Finally, I head to shower to get ready.
I exit the Volvo Cave and board Air Volvo by 8:30 and make it to work at about 7:45. I beat the school buses, and the traffic was unusually light near Nike World Headquarters. MLK day is Monday, so we might have more many folks doing an extended weekend–Thursday traffic is usually awful in the USA.
My first meeting is at 8:30, so I have some time to read more news, and there are more details on crises of the moment I dealt with yesterday to familiarize myself with. After that, I read emails, new ones, and Slack messages until the Zoom meetings start, three hours with just a short break.
The status and information-sharing meetings go on until 10ish. I have many queries about the crises of the moment and admit I paid less than my usual careful attention to the Zoom discussion. On the other hand, I hate to be that guy who has to ask them to repeat the question, so I try to follow along. Today I was multi-tasking but was not called out of the status meetings. Just lucky today.
I picked up more to-dos and spent the morning and afternoon covering those items. I drove to the Nike World Headquarters and parked in the New York City garage (it even has bagels worked into the artwork in the elevators. I always park on the 4th floor and take the elevator down. I then walk for fifteen minutes across campus to the Serena Williams building. There is an excellent cafeteria on the first floor, and I meet Scott to chat about software. We have a wonderful working lunch–both getting a salad from the salad bar. Unlike the traffic and parking, the cafe is packed, and we have to share our table. My Covid-19 defense trip is as I sit next to strangers, and it is hard for me to keep eating and talking. We managed to have a nice lunch and chat, but I was a bit uneasy.
I walked back; the walk was somehow uphill both ways (Nike magic). Air Volvo takes the ramp out of the parking garage (when you drive it, it looks like a giant skateboard park opportunity–too bad there are speed bumps) and drives to the hummingbird house. Susie is now (I am later than usual) having a small lunch. I wait, but I have only a limited time. Once Susie is done, we manage to call Susie’s mother, Leta, in the social activity room. We chat for a while, but time, seems to fly away like the hummingbirds the house is named after, and I have to leave. Susie is visibly upset as my visit seems to have just started, but she recovers and lets me leave with a kiss and a smile. M.A.S.H is on the TV in the shared space, and Susie loves that show–Hawkeye and the cast will keep company this afternoon. Leaving is hard, but I must return to the office.
I finish the day about 5ish after getting a coffee from the barista on the first floor to make it those last hours. I am dragging a bit. Before heading out, we review some progress on performance issues that are becoming critical. I am, like years ago, working on performance issues on new SAP systems–seems so 1990s. But, the solution is one I have done before.
Traffic to the Volvo Cave is light, and I take the regular path without incident or construction issues. I have tamales for dinner warmed up in the microwave. I bought $20 worth from a local gal at the bar a few days ago. I will freeze the extras soon. They are great, and I could eat tamales every night–they are exotic to me.
I have Theology Pub tonight on Zoom. We used to meet, before the pandemic, at a local bar and discuss theological issues while enjoying drinks and food. Now it is DIY food and beverages and Zoom. Tonight’s passionate discussion was about compassion and if compassion makes poverty worse. The usual zero-sum game arguments followed about helping someone or helping them help themselves. I do not see this as a zero-sum game, but that helping and then finding a fix both must be done. Stop the bleeding and not argue about how the person was stabbed and how we can prevent stabbings–save them first. We can do both. So the argument that it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish is rewritten by me: feed the hungry, know them, help them, and never count the costs–it is always better for them and for us. The zero-sum game being applied to the homeless is a lie. Making my argument, we see the same in the conservative process of cutting taxes. When you stop taking folks’ money, all for good causes, and let them use it–they will make more and even pay more taxes from the new surplus. Giving people more is not a zero-sum game. This is simple economics and humanity. I also mentioned my friend’s book on her life on the streets: A Fish Has No Word For Water.
After feeling cold after getting a bit emotional, a leftover from chemotherapy, I put on a sweater and soon wished everyone a good night on Zoom.
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