Story 11Dec2023

Monday is a work-from-home day, and I suffered some discomfort all morning. I was thinking I was reacting to the diabetes or my blood pressure medications, but no, I was constipated. Yes, many people have accused me of being full of it, but today I was. This was the cork and champagne effect I experienced before. I am also unusually sleepy today, but as I have worked every day since 27Nov; this is not a surprise. There is no rest-and-recover yet. But I expect the hours will lighten up after this week as our team’s data conversions will be complete. This weekend and the next ones should be easier.

I rose before 7ish and looked at my slippers for a while (I fell back to sleep sitting), but the alarm went off, scaring me, and I started my day. I found the kitchen, which had not moved, and followed the ritual from hence coffee comes. There is no bell, book, and candle but liberal coffee from Equal Exchange. I was happy to find the bananas were not black, and the ants had not located the remains of the cream cheese baked product from Whole Foods. I assembled this onto a plate and carried it into the home office. One tiny ant appeared and was using, I imagined, flashlights to place the food at a convenient gate for ants to board my breakfast. The ant did not survive the process, and there was no boarding process.

After logging in to all the computers, mine and Nike’s, I started reading emails, Slack channel updates, and online news like CNN, New York Times, and BBC News. Once I understood what was happening at work and the world, I retrieved a cup of coffee from the office.

The status and process meetings lasted two hours until I had a break. I then spent some time with my colon and following along at work. Lunch was a Trader Joe’s frozen dinner of Chicken Tikka. It’s excellent and small. I heat in the oven, not in the microwave, as I think it works better.

I decantedly do not dress until the afternoon. I am dressed and ready at 2PM for the next meeting. I also did some work on my new stuff. But I am sleepy and still nauseous, and I enjoy more time with the colon. Finally, I started to feel better. I do the last status meeting at 4:35.

I was ready to end my day, but I received a text that a family member was in the ER with heart issues in Michigan. I was packing and alerting folks at work I might be on the next plane to Lansing, Michigan. I had a one-way trip for $268 picked out. I got the dishes done and the small pile the house elves missed in the sink running in the dishwasher. The laundry was collected and washed. My bags were filled with the necessities for a trip. But this was unnecessary, and the family member was fine. A potent reminder that it is good to be ready.

Now just a few items.

I also called Leta today, and she was happy, I think, to begin the process of returning to her home. She will need some in-home care. I hope being home will accelerate her recovery. Barb, her daughter, is back and helping with this. I am hopeful for Leta’s future.

For dinner, I ordered Chinese from Door Dasher, salt and pepper squid with hot and sour soup, and crab puffs. I could not focus on making dinner while I thought I was headed to Michigan. The food was great, and once the emergency ended, I even tasted it.

I then rested with the blankets pulled up, feeling cold, shaking, and miserable. Too much. I heard Susie say, “Mind if I join you?” in my sleep. I made room for her momentarily, returned a pillow, and then woke when someone slammed a car door outside. I was still cold, sleepy, and uneasy, but I got out of bed.

I unboxed my Air Force Ones, newly purchased last week and never worn, boarded Air Volvo, and headed to Wildwood Taphouse in the dark Oregon Mist. There I am, having lighter beers so as not to self-medicate. I am feeling better.

Thanks for reading.