Today 24Aug2023: Thursday

The day started with me just waking before my alarm, just a few minutes. I was still trying to understand what awake meant when the alarm on my iPhone went off. I think I moaned when I heard it. I went to the office first and connected and logged in all the laptops, mine and Nike’s, to get the email and other updates while I did other things. Next, I padded over to the kitchen, dumped the water out of the kettle (an ant was floating in it–the bug people still have not come), filled it, and turned it on. Next, I enjoyed thirty minutes of peddling on the Immoble Schwinn and not going over six miles while watching steaming commercials while claiming it was ABC Streaming News. I was sweaty when I finished my fourth day in a row of thirty minutes of exercising.

I next acquired a NYC bagel from the freezer and made it editable by heating, toasting, and covering it with cream cheese. I got the last peach 1/2 from the can and put that in a bowl. All of this was matched with liberal coffee, which I have been drinking since the first ever mug-shot taken president was elected (sorry, I had to get that in–I am a liberal, after all). All this, I took to the home office and soon started an online odyssey of three hours of Zoom work meeting on status and process.

I quickly showered around 10ish and continued with some more alignment Zoom meetings. I managed a break for an early lunch of reheated (via the microwave) pizza. I watered the plants (the sapling redwood expired in the 105F heat–40C), took out the trash, and loaded the recyclables. Friday is pick-up day, so it is best to prepare everything on Thursday. Finally, I boarded Air Volvo and saw Susie at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. The traffic was light, and I crossed Beaverton without issues or the auto braking.

Susie was napping in the recliner in the shared living room when I got there before 1. Susie was thrilled to see me, and we soon headed out into the still cool air (it would heat to 92F later–33C) of Metzger Park. We found a nice bench near the large green space and watched the kids and parents enjoy the last days before school started. We did have one wasp visit; Susie must have been too sweet, but I was able to wave it away. Next, I called Leta and Barb (Susie’s mother and sister in Michigan, respectively) to form a three-way call on FaceTime. Barb was done with her work day and talked to us while walking out and driving. We had a lovely short chat. Again, it was a regular work day for me, and I had to be back to more Zoom calls at 2 and follow on Slack channels. We finished our park tour, and soon, I had Susie back with Jennifer at the hummingbird house. Jennifer is the weekday and live-in nursing aide. I left with a kiss and promised a more extended stay on Friday.

The drive back was in lighter traffic than I expected, but some lights did take three times to finish. I found some packages when I arrived. I ordered more 15-minute epoxy as mine showed its age and a new model Teensy microcontroller, 4.1. These are small-footprint but very fast Arduino-styled microcontrollers that apparently are made in Eugene, Oregon (I did not know that)–I am sure I will find a use for them.

I spent the next couple of hours in a series of Zoom work meetings and then took a short break. I read a bit. I enjoy Cold Welcome by Elizabeth Moon and can barely put it down. I then carried the Nike laptop to the kitchen for the 4:35 status meeting and made dinner while listening. I heated a Trader Joe’s Indian-style microwave meal and heated Naan in the oven (frozen and also from Trader Joe’s). It was wonderful Tikka Chicken with a cup of cooked rice that was better with the Naan. While I consumed this fine repast, I watched some YouTube presentations from The Discriminating Gamer and Battleship New Jersey–Excellent.

I read some more but decided to head to Wildwood Taphouse and enjoy company and beer while writing.

Thank you for reading.