Author: alohawild

Today started with me resting just a few extra minutes as I had a 7:30 meeting that I was dressed and cleaned up for. I was on time and ready. This was then followed by two additional hours of meetings with a short break and back to more meetings.

I managed to read emails, read and respond to the Slack channel texts, and listen and respond to the meetings all morning. I had to slip my breakfast and meds in a while listening. I have to take food with my pills.

Susie headed out to her spa day with Zeriada today. Usually, this is a Monday thing, but it was delayed this week. Folks saw me rushing around on camera. I forgot to turn it off.

I then had a short break and started on a trip for my sabbatical in October. It is only $216 to fly non-stop to New York City (Newark). So Susie, Mariah (a friend), and I will be headed to NYC on October 6 (red-eye) and staying for about a week until October 12th. The hotel near the garment district was more than the flight! Tickets for the Met have already been purchased. I will fill up other days with more adventures.

That was a nice distraction from work and other issues. It is funny how a little trip can really change your mood.

I had lunch from leftover Chinese Food from a few nights ago. Susie picked up her fav of a Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal with apple slices and an apple pie.

More meetings and some frustration as grandstanding and enrolling and to listen to on Zoom. I tried to help. I was happy to get it over. I did spend time while listening looking at Broadway Shows. I was sad that the Phantom of the Opera has yet to reopen. Looks like Chicago or Moulin Rouge or Wicked are likely what is available and not insanely expensive (Hamilton). Vaccination cards are likely required. We got ’em.

I was tired again today. I did not manage to do more than work and daydream about things to do in New York City today.

Dinner was New York Strips (Schwann’s) with potatoes and green beans (from Schwann’s).

Sorry, it was not a very interesting day. I was tired, and it is good to have a normal day in a pandemic. I hope you enjoyed following along.

I opened the Methodist Hymnal and turned to His Name Is Wonderful.

The day started just after 6:30, and I read emails and had breakfast. My meds require me to eat, so I usually have breakfast early while reading and starting my day.

I was ready in time, shiny and bright, for all the status meetings starting at 8. Hours of Zoom meetings. I also had some alignment meetings, so the whole morning was Zoom meetings.

I had no break for exercising this morning. I did walk around the house when I had a moment between meetings. I looked at the fence and enjoyed my little piece of Oregon I hold in stewardship. I noticed that the old fence that the ants had eaten the pine support boards, and one was now broken. The planking is old cedar and, while worn, is still strong. I will replace the board this weekend and screw it in. I will be doing it from the back, so I need to get screws just the right depth.

I have two climbing roses, bare roots, coming from David Austin’s website this spring 2022. I have never had a climber, and I thought some more pink roses would be nice. I have mostly darker shades.

I was looking at the fences to decide also where I want the roses. I am thinking of the newer fence to add a trellis for climbing. But I can now see the old fence and am tempted to put them there. Some of the posts would do well for the roses to climb.

Lunch was reheated Chinese-style soup from yesterday’s order. It was still great.

I then continued on with few crises of the moment and more Zoom meetings. Alignment meetings and a few status meetings. One left me a bit unhappy, but it is best to not share details here. My sabbatical starts in October. I will be happy for the break.

Susie was up and dressed in the afternoon, and I made her again Eggo Waffles with peanut butter for breakfast/lunch. Unfortunately, I heard there is a shortage of Eggos, so these could be the last Eggos in Paradise.

I was happy when the last meeting was completed at 5PM.

I fried frozen hamburger patties in a frying pan, adding a slice of cheddar to make cheese burgers with no buns. I opened a can of Bush beans and peaches to go with it. Susie had 1 and 1/2 patties and enjoyed all the sides. So today I was cheap eating what we have.

On another subject, my 401K is approaching an annualized return rate of 13%. That is more than I expected in such a strange year. Nike stock is backing off its $177 high and has lost ten bucks in the last two weeks. Nevertheless, I still believe in the positive growth of the market and the economy.

Concluding, I was tired and rested a few times. I am drained today. Sorry, it was not a very interesting day to share.

I went back to picking hymns again. I like this version of For the Healing of the Nations.

The day started at 6:30, with me waking just before my alarm. I then managed to log on to my work computer and prepare for the day. I made a bagel with cream cheese and a cup of coffee. Then, off to get ready.

I was few minutes late for the start of status meetings at 8, but I was at least all clean and shiny with the camera on. Zoom meetings went on for hours. I was frustrated as many issues and discussions were repeats of the weekend I just worked. I had to write an email explaining one issue that really made me unhappy.

Mariah texted me and had something to distract me. She needs me to drive with her to Portland to fit her newly assembled bike in Air Volvo and deliver it to her home in Forest Grove. So about 10ish, we were off to Portland.

I am always amazed at how much I love Portland when I drive into the city. Despite reports by Fox News and others of its total destruction, it is a lovely place still. We had enough traffic to remind us how nice it was to get there in just a few minutes.

We put the newly assembled by official and warranty-approved assemblers bike in Air Volvo. Then, despite the pull of Portland to stay and have a strange donut or something veggie, we turned right around and drove back to Beaverton and Aloha, Oregon. No traffic in the opposite direction, and soon we were back.

Gyro House was our next stop near the Volvo Cave (home). We enjoyed lunch there, and then we headed to Forest Grove. Mariah there took possession of the newest bike in Forest Grove and I returned home.

Susie gets going and has breakfast of Eggo waffles with peanut butter with coffee.

I managed to be on time for the next meetings. More status and alignment meetings. I also had a few emails and reviewed a design of some software, and commented on it.

I then rested for a bit; I am still tired from the short night. Working two weekends in a row is not helping. I also did a lot on the weekend and could use a weekend from my weekend!

After a few more hours of Zoom meetings, Slack messages, and emails, the day finally closed.

My neighbor Kathy needed some help. I drove Air Volvo and jump-started a car for her. Unfortunately, they did not have jumper cables. I keep a set in the replacement tire well in the back of Air Volvo. I had not done this with this car before, so I got out the car manual and found the hood release. I was surprised by how intimidating the motor looks with a big black piece bolted down on it.

The battery for newer Volvos is in the back. You have a special pin in the engine to jump the car. I had to locate them. A red plastic cover identifies the positive post, and a note next to the negative is stamped in the metal. I am cautious connecting everything, and we managed to start the other car and charge it without incident. Mission completed.

I order too much Chinese food from GrubHub. I will have lunch for a few days! I was tired and hungry when I ordered.

Susie and I watch the news together and eat Chinese food. The news is painful today. 10,000 people in Tokyo have no hospital bed. The covid-19 delta variant is crushing them. We in Oregon still have services still running with the help of the National Guard. You can still get a hospital bed and ICUs while precious are still available. We have plenty of ventilators, I read somewhere.

Thank you for reading. I was too tired and disorganized to play Roll20 today.

I went back to picking music out when thinking of all the people in Tokyo: On Eagles Wings.

 

Saturday started with me oversleeping and missing the first Zoom meeting at 8. However, I did manage to make the 8:30 status meeting and to read the emails and Slack messages so that I was up-to-date. I then watched the email and chatted, by Slack, with some of my coworkers.

I managed to get going, and Evan came over, and we headed out for Mexican food and then to The 649 Taproom to play the new board game Ankh.

Evan managed to win our one learning game that we managed. I am usually unhappy with a new game, and my first impression was not good for Ankh. It seemed a bit shallow, and many of the pieces are used once or not at all. Evan learned the game quickly, and the rules are clear to me, and we only had to look in the manual once.

The game is colorful, and the play was interesting. I need to play it a few more times to decide what I think.

I had to do another status meeting. I did that on the iPhone in the car in the parking lot. We then drove and picked up Susie, and Mariah decided to meet us again at The 649.

Susie had never been there before. She had her fav drink, Southern Comfort Manhattan on the rocks with two cherries, and we tried some of their unique drinks. I had a wickedly spicy Moscow Mule. Evan and Mariah tried some other great drinks. Susie ordered a grilled cheese. Mariah and I split a salad and a Cubano sandwich. Evan went with the beef sandwich. No complaints and I thought the Cubano was good.

We played Killer Bunnies, Susie’s fav. It is a cute game where you collect carrots to have a chance to win. Then, you place out your bunnies to be able to play cards. But everyone else tries to kill your bunnies. Such weapons as Jello or Nuke Weapons are available. It is very random, but fun and there is some thinking involved (not a lot). Somehow I managed to keep a bunny alive when the last of twelve characters were acquired ending the game. I managed to have the randomly selected carrot and won. First time I have won the game in a long time.

Susie and I returned home and watched the movie Cruella again on Disney+ for free. Evan and Mariah headed on their way.

Susie had some challenges that night, and I had to do some caregiving as we headed to bed. So I was a bit late to bed then for my 6:30 morning alarm.

Yes, I started at 6:30 with five hours of sleep. I also started some laundry when I went to sleep around 1ish. So I ran the two loads while getting started. I also did the dishes. Finally, I ordered bagels and one with salmon for me.

I was dressed and ready for the 8 defect call this Sunday. Clean and shiny with the camera on.

After getting a muffin, coffee, and water ready for Susie when she is up, I got in the car. I called into the meeting on my iPhone and listened to the status meeting. I had not done Zoom on an iPhone before. It worked.

It was strange to be driving through the Portland tunnel and listening to status. However, I did manage, safely, to answer a question. Finally, I got to Richard’s house in Portland, and there met our gaming friend Casey.

We played the long-playing three-person Through the Ages board game. I had just learned it last week. It was fun to play again, but I made mistakes and missed some opportunities that Richard snatched up. I had a hard stop at 2PM, and we reached that and surrendered to Richard’s overwhelming play. Next time!

I dropped off Casey at home and then drove over to South Park to meet Mariah. She was having a new bike worked on, and they were over their estimate. So we met and had a glass of wine and a few bites on the appetizer menu. I also slipped in a dessert for myself. We both, Mariah and I, had not been back to South Park in years. Only service outside and the menu was nothing a recognized. Fish cakes?! Tiny cheese plate?! But still, the wine was good, and the dessert was also good.

The bike was not ready. We headed home. It was still nice to get a glass of wine and snacks at South Park!

I drove home in Air Volvo to make the next 4:30 status meeting. After that, I took a break and then drove to McDonald’s to get dinner. Susie Happy Meal was without apples! We asked for apples. With a learning permit, Corwin piloted Air Volvo with me in the passenger seat to McDonald’s. He drove on TV Highway.

Funny, Corwin hit the trash barrel with the mirror at the house. No damage. I have done that before. The Volvo alarms exploded as the small thunk happened. Air Volvo will press the brake for you if you hit them straight on. Clipping the mirror gets a lot of noise.

Susie and I are now watching PBS Wicked in Concert (with too many pledge week messages).

I am tired and it is late. I hope you like the story.

The morning started with me sleeping an extra hour and attending my first meeting with the camera off. I was not dressed and presentable until after 9ish.

When I worked for my old friend Aboo, he had us always do different things on Friday. So I try to keep to that spirit of not treating Friday as another day of the week but to try to do something different for the day. Thus today, I decided to dress later.

I had hours of status meetings in Zoom for the morning. The project is still running full-out and will consume yet another weekend. The holiday weekend is the first weekend officially a break for us.

I took Leta’s suggestion today and used Susie’s stationary bike to ride for ten minutes to help my leg cramps. I remembered to set the bike back to the pencil marks for Susie. Susie used the bike today without issue.

I ordered lunch from the La Provence at Orenco Station. They have wonderful, but not cheap food. I ordered two croissants for Susie and Corwin. I had their hash with poached eggs–wonderful.

I had more meetings, some crises of the moment, to cover various status and issues with data conversions. We are at the point of the project where folks panic. We had a bit of that today.

I continue to watch videos on how to play my newly received game from Kickstarter for lunch: Ankh. Unfortunately, I did not get to painting today as I was tired and received another game from Kickstarter. Grand Hotel Austria, Deluxe was delivered today. This includes the Let’s Waltz add-on and an upgrade kit for the base game to the Deluxe version.

This is mostly a component replacement for the original to finally use pictures of coffee, wine, cake, and strudel instead of the blocks that the game once game with. In addition, I have 3D-printed items that are even nicer than the ones supplied by the deluxe version.

The game is hard to learn and win, and it has you accepting only the best guests into your hotel; the game has you running an exclusive hotel. While their rooms are made ready, you supply the guests with the aforementioned treats. The imperial government is also making demands of you that will be costly if not fulfilled in time. But, you can hire staff to help. Need more cake, then maybe you can hire a pastry chef or a barista for that coffee you need. It is hectic in the hotel biz around the 1900s. Plus, there are unique goals assigned to each game that force you to many dizzying choices. You are manager, accountant, and concierge for a quick seven rounds.

I do like this game, but it is a hard game to learn. The flow is chaotic, which does not appeal to many gamers. I just like serving treats, I think.

I managed to upgrade my original game. Disappointingly, the new revision of the rules did come with the upgrade. I had to print a new set on my color printer.

I am happy to see that the new rules include more explanation of various cards. Previously, I had to find the explanations of various cards in English on the Internet; it is a German game also available in an English version. The new rules also have changed the setup pictures to match the new components. I was not sure how all the new items work, but the new rules cover them.

I just peeked at the Let’s Waltz add-on. I was surprised to see that there are stickers to make your own cards in the same art style. The heads are separate, so you can pick how you want to fix them up. Bernie Sander’s head, with a mask, is included to remember 2020! I will try to punch it and get it ready when I am not rushed. I really like the theme and style of this wacky Euro-styled and want to enjoy unwrapping and enjoying the new material. I also might have to make that masked Bernie card! It also has a robot mode now for solo-play called “Dinner for One.” Oh my! Did I mention that the champaign is added as another treat!

I have three new games now from Kickstarter, and all are new in design and colorful.

I consider myself blessed with riches. I have so much fun I can’t even get to all of it.

Turning to the reports, the news in Oregon is grim. The National Guard is helping the hospitals now. We are not yet turning away people. Delta is exploding and killing folks. The smoke is in the east. Our skies are cloudy, with no smoke, as our weather returns to our rainy fall. It rained yesterday!

Oddly, our economics are great, and the state will be returning the most it has ever paid back to the people next year. If the Oregon state income is above the budget by 2%, then the state pays the money back. It is another unique Oregon thing.

My five-week sabbatical starts in five weeks.

I hope you have found this a good read today. Thanks for reading.