I woke up with the iPhone sending out sounds of messages. It was my 60th birthday, and I managed to sleep until 6:30. I thought I should have taken the day off, like most years, but today, I will try to summon the will to return to work. I found my slippers and rose; I have LL Bean felt PJs now and forgo the robe. I am warm. I read the warm greetings and watched a card from the Lynn-Wolffs. Soon, I ran out of time and managed only a slip of liberal coffee from my French Press and a banana that I scarfed down.
I clean up and dress. I wear my blue Nike Metcon Turbo 2 shoes, which are not my usual Air Force Ones, and my Empire State T-shirt. My pants are a problem. I have shrunk, or they have grown. They are now falling off. Mariah insisted later that I purchase a smaller size from my usual LL Bean order; I ordered two pairs and a new belt. Let’s hope these will stay on.
I was in the office by about 8; the traffic was heavy but was moving, and I soon enjoyed a leadership meeting and more hours of meetings on various subjects, all on Zoom. I get a few birthday wish calls. I got a meeting notice for cake at 1:30 for my birthday, and I have to let folks know that it is OK to tell people I am 60 today. Birthdates are personal identifiable information (PII) data, and thus, they are protected. My IT folks are nervous to discuss my age and request that I release the information; I do. Yes, we will pass an audit even for birthdays!
I had lunch alone at the cafe and my usual at the pop-up. This time, it was a split chicken breast over Israeli couscous with a gravy that contained large bits of onions, small mushrooms, and other veggies. It was good. I read the news on Trump’s trial; he has become a class in obscure excuses in a legal setting.
When I returned, my team soon set up a nice party for me, and I served the cake. When I was a little kid, birthday people had to serve their own cake. By the later afternoon the cake was gone. I served extra frosting to the directors; they roasted me a few times. It was all in good fun, but I think the newer people are not used to the lack of decorum that is old Nike. But soon, they were laughing and enjoying the jokes.
Someone brought a pinata in the form of ’60’, but it was empty. I suggested we go to the supply of Advil, Tylenol, allergy meds, and other pills in small bags, making a true IT pinata. Meds instead of candy! That got lots of laughs; we did not do that.
After the cake, I walked through Core ERP’s area (my organization is Core ERP), invited folks for cake, and shook hands. Soon, the cake was gone; excellent.
I talked to some folks about my understanding of our upcoming work. Soon, I was out of time to meet Mariah at BJ’s for dinner. I thanked everyone again and headed out.
Eric, my usual waiter in the bar, was there, and Mariah soon appeared. I had the ribeye with a baked potato and a salad, and Mariah had their excellent double pork chop with bacon jam. I had a beer, Jerimiah Red, delivered by Eric without asking (a favorite), and then a gin and tonic on a cold but sunny day. I was thinking of the warm days to come. As it was my birthday, I ate the dessert–so wrong but so good: A macadamia nut cookie still warm with ice cream.
Mariah spent the evening giving me advice. I hold her in high regard, and she had much to say. I listened. Sadly, there were many requests for Mariah to repeat what she said. My hearing degradation becomes more apparent in social settings. Also, I fell in the kitchen yesterday when a moving mat used by the installer shifted under me while trying to stand. I landed back on the floor; my left knee slammed into the floor, and today, it is sore. My whole leg was locked into a cramp in the same area while sitting on the high chairs in the bar. It passed once I stretched the leg out over a chair. The problem is returning as I write the blog. Hmmm.
Mariah and I soon headed out. I returned home in Air Volvo. There, I went through the emails, found the Kickstarters, and updated the address and items I wanted. Ostia is a Macala-using board game that I enjoy. It was created, reprinted, and has add-ons supplied by the Kickstarter process. I selected my choices and will see the new stuff near the end of the year.
I received the paperwork to cash out $61 of Susie’s last remaining investment. They want a court order, so I may abandon the money. I am the surviving spouse, and they should recognize that, but we will see. Endless!
And then I started the blog, and that takes me to now. Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 