Today is the winter solstice, the longest night. We are halfway through the dark (from Doctor Who). I was reading and going slow today after leaving work early at 2:30 as the project activated contingencies and let us go on break for two weeks- entirely unexpected. I added a day, took off Friday, and will only return to work on 08Jan2024. I made jambalaya from sausages, green pepper, and a can of slightly spiced fire-roasted diced tomatoes. I skip the seafood. I had too many bowls. I needed a few brain cookies, so I was reading the Star Trek novel Wounded Sky (highly recommended) and watched the film Angels and Devils to look at Rome as represented in the movie. Rome was on the list of places to see, and I want to get there next year. I want to take the Dan Brown tour of Rome.
Nike’s earnings release was today, and the stock fell in after-hours trading. The release included a restructuring, which is corporate speak for many layoffs. I cannot comment, and layoffs are like storms; you just watch and hope it passes by without damage.
Lunch was at Happy Panda by myself, and I had their excellent chicken with fresh mushroom, which is not drenched in a sweat sauce. I read the Star Trek novel on my Kindle app on my phone while eating. My Kindle device and the app can detect my page, so I can switch between them. Excellent. I also bought three boxes of almond cookies at Happy Panda. I gave a box to the desk staff, another box to Udaya (who loaded our data over the weekend), and another box to the Data Intelligence team, who also had challenges from the contingencies. They are excellent cookies (I did not have one–resisting).
Returning to cooking. I bought the knife sharpener and my the knives are sharp now. I cut the sausage into slices and chop them into squares with less effort. I am pleased that my expensive global knives are working again.
I found myself awake at 6AM again; what was I thinking? And reset my alarm to 6:30! I started and found a still-too-green banana and a yogurt for breakfast. I made liberal coffee in my French Press. I have some NYC coffee from Cat, which she brought from Zabar’s in her luggage, that I will start to use when I finish this bag of liberal Equal Exchange.
I look forward to tasting the city that does not sleep every morning.
Work was a blur, and I was trying not to set off any more directors or cry. I read the earnings release and watched the reaction. I can’t comment here in writing.
I did my timesheets three times as the decisions on how to take off the next two weeks changed, and I then decided to take off another day. My emotions flowed in every direction, and my thinking was unclear.
I heard a director say he was leaving to get drunk, his words. I heard other leadership was subdued as they were hung over. Yes, it is time to take off early and put in for Friday for Paid Time OFF (PTO).
I will sleep in on Friday but catch a staff meeting on my day off. I will check in to ensure that our colleges are doing OK. Next week, I will stop checking.
My social calendar is getting full:
- Christmas Eve dinner (and church service) with Dondrea, Z, and family.
- Christmas movie with Joan (likely Wonka)
- Wednesday games with Z and others after choir practice
- Thursday with Kate and family for games
- OR go to the coast on Wednesday to play games and hang out with the Smiths, OR do that on Friday.
- Saturday night, playing board games with Richard at night
- 30Dec2023 Dungeons and Dragons at noon at Matt’s
I am already decompressing from a harsh few weeks and working weekend after weekend. Thanks for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 