Today 06June2023

A complex day as I had to travel to the post office for a certified letter. I bought a stamp to add to my collection for less than its catalog price in an online auction (Hipstamp.com), but it was sent certified with a signature required, so I had to pick it up. The stamp is an older revenue stamp, 1861, from the original series. The item is type b meaning no perforation on two edges, and this stamp has a certificate of authenticity needed for these partially perforated stamps to separate them from altered lesser valued fully perforated stamps–forgeries. I found it in what I call a magic auction, where I slip and get an excellent deal on a lovely stamp. I was happy to put the stamp in my album today. Another slot filled cheaply.

So before having to travel in a large circle, I started the morning by sleeping into 6:30AM and then rushing my morning as I had to be in the office at 8 for the first meeting (I forgot it was Tuesday, and my first meeting is actually at 8:30). I managed to get to the office on time, but only had one cup of coffee and forgot to pour the rest in a travel mug. Breakfast was another slice of pastry, banana, and liberal coffee made in my French Press (only one cup).

I traveled to the office without issues and started my meetings later, but I forgot to get coffee, and I had hours of meetings and did not get a chance to get the free coffee before 10AM today. One meeting was with my boss. Nike is restructuring HR and our salary and bonus ratings (a change that is not very popular with the employees and a headache for our leader, who has to explain it and try to say why it is not yet-another-corporate-ripoff-of-employees–I feel for our leaders). Like the be-in-the-office mandate, it feels more like something being done to you than a positive. I would include more, but this is not the place for that. I am neutral to this in my emotions (for now), but I can see the effects of more stress hitting my fellow employees. I will get my new position, title, and ranking at the end of the year with my rating–my boss Brad handled the discussion well with us software architects (at least that is what we are called now).

I was busy all day with lots of little crises of the moment as we started the data conversions into production. I did head out at 11:15ish to see Susie. Air Volvo navigated the heavy traffic on 217 caused by the construction and the usual brake-for-anything driving habits of my fellow Oregonian drivers, and I soon arrived at Susie’s place at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie was in her recliner in the living room when I arrived and was delighted to see me. We called Leta, Susie’s mother, from the living room, a shared space, and chatted with Leta for a while. Susie was more awake and talkative today.

Next, once Jennifer, the weekday nurse aide, was finished getting the other resident’s breakfast/lunch ready, she popped Susie into a wheelchair, and we headed outside. It was already warm (and I would soon regret the black leather seats in Air Volvo–hot!), and we headed into Mezger Park. The tennis courts were not used, so I used those to avoid crushed stone and soon had Susie on a paved path. The locals and regular parkgoers (it was approaching noon) said hi to us–we are there three days a week in the morning or early afternoon, making us too regular parkgoers. Many dogs were walking their human. The three butterflies were flying here and there, and a pair twirled in the air together, bright yellow Oregon Swallowtails. The English daisies were in bloom in the grass, with yellow buttercups adding more color here and there.

The sky was blue with the pure dark blue we see when the sky is clear of smoke (which is covering NYC today) or smog. The wind was blowing lightly (I kept my mask on in the park and felt better this afternoon!) and warm. We stayed for a short visit as I had to return to work. Soon we were inside, and Susie kissed me goodbye.

I took the highways back to the post office off of Evergreen, got my certified letter, and headed to Mod Pizza–I had not been back since the pandemic. Nothing had changed except the prices were slightly higher. I sat and ate my Mad Dog (meat) pizza and a larger Ceasar salad (adding cooked red peppers–not the spicy ones). I sat there drinking a Diet Coke, reading the news, and feeling the stress lifting as I relaxed and tucked into my lunch. I think the pizza had a slight cinnamon flavor, as I suspect they make their dessert pizza on the same surfaces. But I liked my lunch and saved half of the salad for dinner.

I returned to the Volvo Cave before the mail arrived and returned to my office, working now from home. I read at 4PM and fell wholly asleep but woke in time to make the 4:30 status meeting (being only five minutes late by the time I logged on and reached the Zoom meeting). I got some questions after 4PM and tried to help. I was still checking in until 8ish at night.

I paid the medical bills for Susie in the mail (it came in later). I pay them on the day they are received as these are all local, and I don’t want any delays for her. My medical bills and Legacy are not always paid, as I have seen them double-bill me. I trust no medical company or doctor to correctly bill. I wait until I get multiple copies with the same numbers before I pay, and then I still (like a few weeks ago) get hundreds of dollars returned to me each year. I deposit the money and credit the medical account to make Quicken balance the overpayments. Nasty.

HP.com sent me more ink for the printer today. I pay a monthly fee for the printer, and they supply me with ink. If I print too many sheets, I pay for the overage. I also can carry over some of the unused pages into the next month. I have been printing many rules of late, so I am using up my pages each month. I recommend the service instead of buying your own ink.

I ate reheated leftover chicken, which was not that great (that recipe just did not work), but the Mod Pizza salad was good. I watched one of the best standalone Doctor Who episodes, highly recommended, Time Heist. while eating.  Like the award-winning and terrifying Blink!, this one is not linear and includes a few surprises. This episode is not reliant on the cannon of Doctor Who and is an excellent SciFi story. I folded the laundry and put it away while watching, too. I then did the dishes and swept the floors. Slowly getting things better.

Evan called (I was on another call when his call came in the first time) and was visiting Susie late. Susie was happy to get to a visitor, and Evan put his phone on speaker so I could chat too. We talked for a bit. Then, Evan rang me up again; Evan and I then walked through, signing into the cable for Susie to watch M.A.S.H. Evan could get this working for Susie for tonight. Excellent! Once we had Hulu (M.A.S.H.) back and Peacock (newer shows) before, I rang off.

I then continued to write the blog; I did not get to do more housework as I had to get this blog done. I will try to get the mopping on Thursday. Z is recovering from her cold, and I should play her board games on Wednesday night.

I purchased a new solo game from GMT, Mr. President. It is a modern simulation (2001-2020) of being the US chief executive. I overlooked the six-hour playtime when I purchased it. Not sure I can do this, but we will see. The game is not yet in release, and I have pre-ordered it at a lower price–so it is only $65 to try it (nothing like the $200+ for Kickstarter games).

Thanks for reading.