Today 9Nov2023

I just finished the monthly Theology Pub, where we discussed finding joy in the world. We mostly agreed that you need to set your expectations to be happy and that trying to solve all the world’s problems will overwhelm you. You need to also give trust to those who can work on some of these issues instead of trying to control everything. But we also said you can do the impossible but must pick your battles. My best example is always The Man Who Planted Trees, which is on YouTube here. Enjoy. Recommended.

Before this, I must admit, I left work early to take care of some items, and then when they were done, I just decided to ignore the world, lay down, and sleep. For an hour or so, I fitfully rested. At 5ish, I rose, saw I was not needed at the shoe company, and made dinner by warming up yesterday’s pasta and sausage (in vodka sauce). I watched the animated Batman with Mark Hamill as the Joker. They are excellent, Hamill and the late Kevin Conroy as Batman. Recommended.

Aside: I know there are things I need to do, but I can only manage some every day.

I washed the towels and sheets to be nearly clean when I returned on Monday from Texas. Hate to come back to housework. I then grabbed some Kaluha and connected to Zoom for the Theology Pub meeting.

Before this, I was at the UPS store. I was going to send a portable monitor to Linda; she liked the one she used here and wanted the model to buy one. I just sent her mine. The price of mailing it was almost the cost of a new one! But we know this one works for her, so I sent it. I also brought Susie’s dad’s gun in a gun case. It was more than $450 to send it, about the rifle’s value. And then they told me they don’t accept firearms–well, that made it easy–No, I am not paying $450 to send a gun that you can’t actually send that is worth about $500! I will look at sending it in my luggage on my next flight. I have not moved a rifle on a plane in twenty years, but I have done it. There is a declaration process that I will have to learn again.

Before this, I was at Nike WHQ and did some more Zoom meetings. I had lunch with Scott from the Nike business at the Sebastian Coe Building. There is a lovely cafe there and an excellent salad bar. We talked about work and the project while munching our salads.

Scott gives tours of Nike WHQ as another line, and he wanted to see one of the recent changes after lunch, so he walked part of the way back with me. Eliud Kipchoge, the world-famous long-distance runner, got a new statue at Nike WHQ. It is incredible and makes you want to do anything to help Eliud in his next run. It’s nice to see that Nike still remembers its reason for being: We Serve the Athlete*. The ‘*’ means “If you have a body, you are an athlete, so move your *. Being lost in IT work, I am always happy to remember who we work for when walking through the WHQ–there is no place like it.

I called Leta and Barb (Susie’s mother and sister) and talked for a while. I try to keep connected to them. Leta sounded much better, but she said she was “vegetating” as she could not use her right arm. Her usual deadpan is back. I also called Mom Wild, and she was putting away groceries. Linda, my sister, had sent a load of goodies using the remote delivery now available after COVID-19. Mom said she was eating the good stuff. Mom Wild sounded happy.

Before, it was usual Zoom meetings and boring. It is a good thing to be boring now with less than a month until we start the full 7/24 install. Breakfast was supplied: scrambled eggs (plain and slightly overcooked), potatoes (with some onions and green and red peppers), bacon (!), and fruit and baked goods. Plus, Starbucks coffee in a large urn. This time, I had only an apple for my first breakfast with NYC Zabar’s grind coffee (thanks, Smiths and Jason, for the coffee).

I started at 6AM and had some of my usual wakings before my alarm and rolling over for an hour issue. It started after 5AM, better. I rose with my alarm. This is the most challenging moment of the day; I don’t want to go on. I am alone. I am tired. Everything hurts. I am coughing. I feel all 59 years. Grabbing the robe and putting on my slippers takes everything I have. Once I start, I am OK. It is just that that first moment. Take this cup from me; don’t make me go on. Would there be some cosmic plan that would go wrong if I just stayed here and did not get going? But, somehow, it is likely the love of others and the fact I want to see what is next that drives me forward.

As it is obvious, I did start and found the strength to continue. I did learn that today, the first time, I had time left in the morning. I can restart exercising now that the time between 6-7AM does not disappear so fast. Better!

Last night, after I wrote the blog, I read the well-written–almost overwritten rules for the solo board game Ottoman Sunset. This is another game recommended by the Discriminating Gamer, and I was impressed and look forward to finding a night to try it out with a beer at some local taphouse. I mean, who writes in an example in a rule book, “Fortunately, you sagaciously committed 2 Resources to the Eastern Theater”? Plus, adding drama in another example: “Will you be able to halt the fleet at the last moment, or will British marines storm the capital?” There is also a detailed history of the Ottoman Empire in dense text for pages in the rules–fantastic writing.

The game is a solo game where you play the role of the leaders of the Ottoman Empire (including the young Turks), trying to resist their fate (collapse in 1918). Like many solo games, it is rules-heavy to create the simulation and strongly connects to its theme. I like the theme and look forward to playing this game. It is a republication of an older game and is now from the same company that makes my other favorite solo game, Nemo’s War: Victory Point Games. And there is a sister game, Hapsburg Eclipse, which uses a similar system of rules and simulation and, so tempting, can be merged into a grand game where you try to save both empires. Oh my, the boards actually fit together–resist!

Thanks for reading. I am sorry I have not progressed on some items or helped folks. I am still struggling and quickly exhausted. But I want to see the future and be part of it, and I feel the love of so many–I must go on.