Today 30Nov2023

Today has been a strange day with me working from home for some of it, with my first Zoom meeting being at 7:30, then lunch at Nike WHQ, and then a doctor’s appointment, followed by a two and change hour wait for getting labs. So, it was a strange day. I had a urine test, so I could not pee for two hours, a difficult thing for a diabetic. Finally, done after 5PM with the lab closed, they did the blood and urine test. I thanked the folks for working late and reboarded Air Volvo. I then drove the short distance to Cedar Hills Pub, a McMenamins, ordered a Spanish Coffee (telling the bartender she could now play with fire, which she loved), ordered fries and the humus plate from the happy hour menu, and was ready to have a drink, eat, relax, and write this blog.

The phone rang, and I recognized the voice, “Yes, I can come back and have the other test done.” I asked the bartender to hold on to my drink and food, and I would be right back. I got back into Air Volvo and drove quickly to the lab. I did have an issue at a multi-way stop when nobody wanted to go, and then everyone went, but I managed to escape without any paint loss. It was dark and wet, and I could not see who had a stop sign, but one side, which I knew had no stop sign, was stopping (!?), so we all were a bit confused. The big Mercedes SUV (large enough to moor) with its lighted symbol in its grill started hopping forward, as did my Volvo, but I hit the gas and cut in front, violating maritime law by not blowing my horn. I was tired of bunny hopping. I reached the lab without issue and soon had two bandages on my arm.

I returned with no extra hopping or maritime violations, and the bartender brought me my drink and food on my return to my seat at the bar. It was all good. I continued to write and drink, trying not to focus on today’s wasted time.

Returning to the start of the day, I was up at 6AM thinking I should just roll over. I had slept better but still woke at 5AM, the former 6AM before the time change. I slept just before my iPhone alarm returned me from Morpheus’s Realm. I found my slipper and robe, located the kitchen, and made coffee. I had a pear (thanks, Martin and Kathy, for the lovely fruit) and coffee to start my day. As usual, I read emails and Slack channel updates from work and read some of the news. I was ready for the 7:30 Zoom meeting, crossing the Earth from India to Oregon to Germany for a demo of some work being done for us by the vendor related to the new work I have started.

I am always happy to see software improve and technology move forward. While this may be some of the most boring and obscure technology, I was fascinated by how much it has changed and improved since the last time I tried to use it. I was excited and happy and could see future uses for the same stuff.

I missed many of my status meetings as this meeting ran over, but for such a boring and obscure topic, we all were asking questions and listening. Excellent. I did do one status/process meeting this morning. Next, I popped in the shower and so on, dressed, and was ready to leave by 11ish. I had lunch with Scott on campus.

I was wearing my new shoes, Zoom Air, and the pain was mostly gone. I am still having trouble with my gait returning to normal, and this makes my legs tire, but after Air Volvo got me to the Nike WHQ NYC garage, it was a lovely walk in the rain on the bricked-lined trails. I love the campus in the winter rains. The newish statue of Eliud Kipchoge looked great in the rain–like he was running.

I met Scott, he was early, at Serena Williams Building, and we hit the salad bar and found a table–we try to eat healthy when we meet. We talked about the project and travel plans. It was good to catch up.

Next, I drove to the Cedar Hills strip mall and had tea at the tea store. At 2PM, I was back in Air Volvo and attending, by call-in, a Zoom process meeting. It finished early, which was good as it overlapped my doctor’s appointment.

Doc was happy to see me but saddened by learning of Susie’s passing. I know he knows that a patient by her name has passed, but until he sees me and I say it, the context suddenly sharpens for him, and it hurts. He knows who she is now and is deeply saddened. I recount her passing in her sleep, and I can see he is visibly relieved to know that. He has me get labs and leaves me to schedule a new appointment. He hurries away, not to show his feelings.

The lab, as I have recounted, had me wait for two hours. That takes us a full cycle. I did order on Amazon a new coat, the same model and size as my current one. After more than fifteen years, my Carhartt coat is finally falling apart and tearing open. Time to retire it. I did that on my phone while waiting for my tests to be offered.

Well, that seems to be today. I did get an email, “Come to Lisbon,” I nearly did as it cost less than my next trip. So many places to see. Nice to have my passport back.

Addition: Spoke to Leta today, and she was a bit unhappy as her coverage is running out; I understand. Been there! The appeal is in place now and she should be OK for a while. It is hard not to let this BS get to you, I know, but I am hopeful she will get some more help and pull thru. We are pulling for you Leta!!!!!!!!!!!!