It is another Monday after working the second weekend in a row. The 7/24 adventure is still going full-on. There was new chaos for IT today that is in the press–I will skip over it here. There were many breaks in the project and production, so I was busy all day and even into the night. I am still getting updates even as I write this here at 7PM at the Wildwood Taphouse!
The morning started with me sleeping into 7ish and resisting getting dressed until sometime after 10. I found a bagel-like bread product, toasted it, and put cream cheese on it. Next, I opened a can of peaches, added 1/2 to a bowl with minimum sauce (peaches in their own juices), and some cottage cheese dressed with pepper, sea salt, and smoked paprika. Liberal coffee was also summoned using a ritual involving a French Press, which was quite diabolical (well, on a Monday, it is). I consumed this breakfast while enjoying two hours of meetings and many excitingly written posts in Slack and email. Unfortunately, a few things were going pear-shaped.
I found a break and did all of my exercises and stretches. Then, I showered and dressed, and boarded Air Volvo. Our tax documents and flowers for Susie were already in the cargo hold. The flight was headed to the west and not east as usual. First, tax documents are being delivered to my new CPA in Hillsboro.
When Susie was in Forest Grove Rehab and Care Center, I would have to drive towards the west every day, so the drive was familiar. Parking in Hillsboro on Monday morning was difficult, and I ended up parking a block from the CPA office. I dropped off the large envelope and answered a few basic questions–excited to get this process going. My last document, eTrade’s consolidated 1099, was available last week. I had to summarize the medical expenses and the donations for the accountants and tax preparers.
I was walking back and saw a sign that said ‘Bagels’ and stopped at a shop and they, there was almost a light glowing from them, had NYC-styled bagels that they make for sale. So I ordered a test one and purchased six more for later.
While the bagel was a bit soft for me, it was boiled in caustic soda and tasted less like bread than a baked product. Close. I shall test more over the week and inform you, dear reader, if their Collective Market products are good bagels.
Aside: Collective Market, 173 NE 3rd Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
I enjoyed the test bagel, definitely a bagel, on the way to Susie’s place. It is about thirty-five minutes or more from Hillsboro to the hummingbird house. It may be the magical properties of the bagel, but I saw no extra-legal use of the roads in Beaverton on Monday. I arrived safe and fed. I should wave bagels at Beaverton more often.
It is a work day, so my visit was short. I did have the flowers, and Susie loved getting them. She was delighted to see me after I woke her in her chair. She looked comfy, so I pulled up her wheelchair next to the recliner in the living room and called her mother on the iPhone.
Susie and Leta, her mother, chatted for a while. I had two issues while traveling, so I needed to return to the house. I also had one more chore today, so I was pressed for time. Susie was sad when I had to leave so soon but kissed me goodbye with no tears today. Good.
I stopped by the cleaners with all the paints I bought in 2021 and finally got them altered to fit. My usual routine with new pants needs; they need to be shortened. I bought more from LL Bean and Lands End. I will buy more dress shirts. Decided to change my dress style to more of my style.
Finally, Air Volvo reaches the Volvo Cave, and I am back online. I slice ham from the second Olympic Provision Ham, which is so good, and make a sandwich with on the side Reser’s Potato Salad and pickles. I watch a few YouTube videos on games and warships before continuing with the shoe company.
The crises and exciting messaging continue all afternoon. The last meeting for me today is at 4:30, and more plans are being made. I had an appointment with production support; even production is breaking, and I am making more plans to fix those issues.
At 5ish, I am finally back to reading and resting a bit. Judge Dee’s stories are a bit weird when words like f**k and references to Shakespeare are made by Tang Empire officials and poetics. I like the book, but its style is freer than I would expect again for Tan Empire times.
I headed to Wildwood Taphouse to write the blog today. I am tired but happy to get some chores done. The tax folks called me, and I emailed them a clarification on my medical breakdown and fixed (oops) an error. They expect me to get a refund of most, if not all, of my paid taxes. I will wait for the check to clear from the IRS before I believe it. But that was the expectation and the plan.
Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 