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Sorry, I missed taking a picture today.

Friday started with me sleeping into 7AM, and then numb I located the kitchen (it has not moved). I made liberal coffee and moved to the blueberry Organic yogurt, having finished all the strawberry versions. Next, I did the usual exploration of emails, Slack channel updates, and online news (CNN, BBC, and New York Times being the three I read to get a balanced account with a slight left lean but with strong fact-checking). At 8AM, I started my first meetings, Zoom, and fortified with food and liberal coffee, I was ready for the questions and issues.

The morning went on with hours of status meetings on Zoom, and a few crises of the moment surfaced. I also reviewed and approved some design fixes; I did the easy ones for our team. This filled the early morning, and I popped out to shower and dress. I was ready to present at the engineer and architect briefing meeting I run every Friday at 11AM. Still, there was a request to cancel Friday’s meeting and postpone my presentation–I was already preparing but accepted the postponement.

With 11AM suddenly free, I headed out with my Nike and Apple laptops and took Air Volvo to Beaverton. I stopped by Paris Baguette for lunch, having a fantastic turkey club with avocado. I then found a small cheesecake, a strawberry soft cake (something new), and some breakfast items to take to the hummingbird house. Air Volvo took me into some slow-moving traffic; folks were starting their weekend early on Highway 217. I finally arrived at Susie’s place at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

Moving backward, I interrupted my return to the hummingbird house and stopped at a Credit Union. As part of my retirement planning, I wish to move to a Credit Union to be insulated from the bank mergers and corporate shenanigans we now see with too large-to-fail banks. Time to run for cover and get local–not that I am afraid of bank failures or currency issues, but I do not want to find that I have accounts I did not agree to or to see that there are no services now unless I have super premium something. I need something local and safe.

Rivermark Credit Union’s office was strange. There were two humans there. A gentleman asked me why I was there, an odd question, and I asked about their services. He then created an appointment with someone (who was the other person, I soon realized) and had me wait until she was ready. I was then taken into a generic office and discussed their services. The gal then printed out their information (available online, I was told). Also, the gal shared that their tellers are working from home, and you stand at a video screen to do banking, and I was told they are proud that soon all their locations with be using tellers working from home. Yes, I found a Credit Union with all the personality of a vast bank and almost no services (except for some high minimum balance accounts)–not what I expected. When I left, like a volleyball team, the two people changed positions; the gal that helped me now was the greeter. I was not expecting a CU so over-the-top corporate. I am tempted to join because it is so cutting-edge and West Coast.

Back to hummingbird house, I still had to work Friday afternoon; Nike summer hours do not apply to our project (growl), so Jennifer moved Susie from the recliner in the shared living room to Susie’s bed. I connected my two laptops and continued to work, sitting next to Susie at a little table. I put a movie on so Susie would have something to watch while I worked (and I would sometimes watch): Ratatouille by Pixar. This is one of my favorite animated movies; a modern fairytale about discrimination with cooking representing making correct choices–recommended.

Susie tolerated my meetings and my having to read and review some documents. Susie has gained two pounds reaching 70 pounds now. Today she was uncomfortable with some gut issues and showed some signs of confusion. She asked to go home today, but I could tell her she was safe at the hummingbird house, and she agreed that they take good care of her. Susie was unhappy when I left at 4PM but accepted it. It is heartbreaking for me.

I do not remember the drive home as I was upset, which is not unusual for me. Air Volvo found its way, and I was soon home. I explored the freezer and discovered a package of ground beef from 2020! It was pushed against the back of the wall. I also identified another that was two years old. Both were taken out to the trash. Finding more current versions, I made tacos for dinner. I had a box of shells that was opened before and a packet of taco spices also open (I made something that needed just a few bits, and I have been meaning to finish these open ones). I watched some old The Avengers (1966) episodes for fun while cooking and eating.

Done with dinner, I decided to see Oppenheimer at 7:10 at Regal’s Movies on TV theater (just a few minutes away). The manager was happy to see me when I arrived and helped me get some popcorn (free as I used my Regal Card) and a small drink. The manager was visibly relieved to see many folks attending the movies.

The movie. three hours long, seemed to me to be a new way to tell a story with film. The storyline bounces around a bit, but I liked how they did it. The film managed to get across how many people were involved in making the atomic bomb and personality conflicts, and how war makes you align with the war goals. I would recommend it–get a small drink (kids sized).

After that, affected by the movie, my mind was spinning. One of my fears is that the work at the shoe company and the demands (weekend work and covering 7/24 for weeks on end and over holidays) are wrong for me. The movie brought this back to my mind. More to think about.

I went to bed and soon slept. I slept until 3AM, when my arm hurt and woke me. I have injured my right arm, it hurts when I stretch to reach. I might have damaged it when lifting Susie a few weeks ago. It started the next day. I did lots of lifts. I slept, after some ibuprofen, until the morning.

Aside: I have The Describer’s Dictionary by David Grambs on my desk. I recommend it when you are tired of using the exact words. Recommended. It is my few old-school tools. I also have manuals of style and American usage, but I seldom open those books. I find that dictionaries are no longer needed with Google. I also read the NYT, as it is the best writing I have discovered from a daily source, and they don’t use the Oxford comma.

Thanks for reading.

The day has been a challenge as my colon decided to empty with little warning multiple times. This left me feeling a bit tired and likely dehydrated. I finally seemed better and headed to Wildwood Taphouse after reheating the tagine-style chicken with potatoes and carrots for dinner. I ate it while watching ShipHappen’s latest update (repair) on their ship. I also enjoyed Drachinifel’s new video on the design of the HMS Hood while eating. I also consumed many glasses of water.

I collected the recycling and the trash and put them out for Friday (garage day for our street). After that, as I said, I headed to Wildwood.

Before this, I was rushing all day, sometimes to the restroom! Susie was napping when I reached her at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. I was there about 1:20, running late, and bookended with a meeting at 2:00. I also had to rush to use Susie’s room’s toilet, ugh! Before reaching Susie’s place, I decided to have a small lunch pizza and salad at Old Chicago Pizza–the thick crust I miss from the USA Midwest. That was not settled well–I had hoped some food would improve my condition. Susie saw me stagger a few times–she was looking worried.

I managed to get Susie to Metzger Park and found that the picnic tables were not in use today. There was a wonderful breeze and shade there. Despite the burning heat (83F with a desert-like 45% humidity–28C), we were almost cold in the shade. I did have to wave away a yellow jacket that nearly spoiled our visit to the park. We called Leta, Susie’s mother, who was hanging out with Barb (Susie’s sister). Leta is buying her leased car to the great disappointment of the dealership, who likely could sell the vehicle at 2x the buyout (perfect condition and very low mileage). Also, the car could go to the grandchildren if Leta stops driving. Perfect.

I could not stay long as I was already late for my meeting. I gave Susie a quick kiss goodbye after I returned Susie to the hummingbird house. I promised Friday would be a more extended visit (I work from Susie’s room on Friday afternoons). I did my call while Air Volvo took me home. I then did another meeting and helped with some more crises of the moment after arriving at the Volvo Cave.

I am working the weekend as our project requires 7/24 coverage for six weeks (puke). I will miss out on gaming on Saturday night again with Richard, and my afternoon will be truncated, so I will not get much chance to play with Evan either. I am also looking at working Sunday afternoon. It seems like Dungeons and Dragons on Sunday night is still possible.

The day started with me simulating Dracula facing the sun when the alarm went off. Yes, I think I actually turned to dust. Returning from the dead, I found the kitchen (it had not moved) and decided on just yogurt for dinner, as my colon was already sending warning signals. Liberal coffee was assembled and consumed (extra put in the thermal cup and taken to work). I read all the emails, Slack channel updates, and some news before popping in the shower, dressing, and boarding Air Volvo.

School buses have reappeared, suggesting that summer school or summer camps are in progress. I still arrived early and attended the usual hours of status meetings while reading and approving various documents. As the project is heating up, I got many requests for approvals, and my time on the change control board no longer has me fighting to stay awake. I have stuff to approve and to think about.

And that takes me full circle. I did talk to some directors and engineers about my new project. I have plenty to keep me busy now–it is always good to find and solve an impossible problem.

Aside: Leadership is passing around the copy of the 2600 magazine I supplied with the article I wrote. So far, I have not been invited to a meeting with HR or, far worse, Corporate Communications. HR confirmed one of my retirement questions. Plans are starting to become apparent. No details here, sorry.

Thanks for reading.

Today I am running very late; it is already 10:40PM, so I will just cover the interesting stuff, skipping my usual boilerplates, and cover the good stuff. Think of tonight’s blog as a chocolate chip cookie without the cookie–just the chocolate.

Susie was having a good day when I saw her after leaving work near noon. Her eyes were full of light, and she was fully present–not true of all days. Susie was happy to travel to Metzger Park, and I only had to wave away one yellow jacket. The park was busy and loud, and we had to use the shady bench again. We called Leta, Susan’s mother, and Barb, Susie’s sister, on my iPhone using a 3-way FaceTime call. Everyone was happy to see each other; Thunder storms were passing thru the area in Michigan, with Leta finishing the storm that Barb was starting. Susie was more responsive on the call, but the strokes greatly affected her speech, and it was hard for her to get the words out.

We will check Susie’s weight every Friday and hope it is stable at 68 pounds and maybe increasing. Susie had a great short meeting with me.

Moving to the next bit of goodness, Dondrea and Z met me at Powell’s in Beaverton, and from there, we had dinner at Panera Bread for dinner. After we all had soup and some got sandwiches, we headed to the Cinemark Theater for Akhnaten, a Philip Glass Opera, an encore Live HD Met event. This is the 2019 recording I saw live with Susie, and it is great to see it again with Dondrea and Z, who have never done an opera before, let alone one at a movie theater. The Met’s version of Akhnaten is a fantasy and spectacle, and they have found the perfect match to the highly repetitive Glass music, juggling. This is a modern work, but I think approachable. We all loved it.

I rushed home and did a Zoom with Archana in India. I am starting up a new work set for the shoe company, and she and her team may get involved. It was great to see her and start to start new work.

I paid the August bill for Susie’s care. Her total care runs over $8000 a month after insurance (OTC items are not covered by insurance or included in IRS write-offs). I can still cover this with the money I borrowed from my 401K. I am thrilled with the care Susie is getting and honored to work with such good people. I only report it here so folks understand what the actual costs are.

The Beaverton anthology organizer finally contacted me. I sent him my Howard story, but he said I was the only person to reply to the note. I have sent the connection information to others (Here it is hackett.notonicpress@gmail.com).

Well, that was all the good chucks I can share. I hope you enjoyed these good bits!

Tuesdays are back-to-the-office days, meaning waking at 6:30 and rushing out the door by 7:30 to make the 8AM status meeting. I woke before my alarm and then rewoke when it went off, and I said, “And that is what it is for,” when I discovered I had fallen asleep sitting up in bed! I am still dragging and only felt better after sucking down my emergency inhaler as I drove home at 4PM. I was a walking asthma attack all day.

Breakfast was rushed with two scones I made a few days ago (kept in ant-proof containers) with liberal coffee. I read my emails and Slack updates and reviewed the news. Next, I popped into the shower, managed to be out of the house (dressed and shaved), and boarded Air Volvo with my Nike computer. The summer has no traffic other than folks trying to cross the roads; I am careful. Today the auto-braking in the insanely good Volvo safety systems fired twice. Folks are slamming the brakes in light traffic without warning–but no paint was lost today, as Air Volvo stopped.

Work was the usual series of status meetings that ran all morning, and I am now getting half a dozen design documents to read and approve each day. Today I did review with the developer, after approving his design, a better parallel process on SAP ABAP systems that is more resistant (we have been using it for twenty years on Nike’s legendary systems). His code was thoughtfully designed but could not handle a constrained system–Michael G once said I should write a How-to book. We will take another shot at the code when the next improvement appears. I would hate to retest it again this late in the game. Next time!

After giving coding lessons and approving changes in meetings and then in Technical Design documents, it was time to get more coffee. I had carried the rest of the coffee from home in a thermal cup–all gone; I got a free refill from our baristas on the first floor (Starbucks coffee, of course)–Leadership buys coffee for anyone before 10AM. Yes, we are a caffeinated bunch!

I started back on my new project, but soon it was time to head out. It was slightly overcast; it was a sticky 70F (21C) day in Oregon. I boarded Air Volvo and was soon delivered, without issue, to Susie’s place at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie was just finishing breakfast, and Jennifer, the weekday nurse aide, produced a blanket for Susie. I then took Susie out to Metzger Park in her wheelchair. The yellow jackets, for the most part, left us alone.

The park was full of people, and only one bench, the shady one in the redwoods and cedars, was open. Once seated, Susie and I called Leta and Barb, Susie’s mother and sister, respectively, on my iPhone. We used FaceTime and finally connected to a three-way call. Leta looked better; the bruises on her face are fading–she fell a few days ago. We had a friendly chat.

I had to return to work, so it was a short visit, and I quickly had Susie back at the hummingbird house. I was also getting tired. I kissed Susie goodbye while Jennifer took Susie back to her recliner in the living room.

I next stopped at Happy Panada and had Orange Chicken for lunch. I used to eat here often with friends. I was thinking of them while I had lots of tea to help me wake up.

After lunch, I returned to the office and worked on various status meetings and items until I headed out at the end of my shift at 4PM. Air Volvo managed to be almost on autopilot to get home. I then rested for a while. Reading and napping.

I got up, defrosted some chicken, and made Tagine-style chicken for four–I will save it for later dinners. I make it with potatoes and carrots instead of rice. I never put enough salt in it. With high blood pressure, I have no habit of using salt. I add the preserved lemon and olives with Tagine spice (lots of it) to get that Tagine flavor.

I ate dinner while watching YouTube videos from Battleship New Jersey and on the wreck of USS Lexington CV-2 (aka Lady Lex, the Queen of Flat Tops). After that, I started on this blog.

Thanks for reading!

Susie, if she was here, would tell you it looks like the kitchen blew up. I will clean up tonight. I miss her.

This evening I feel all the accumulated exhaustion from the week off, working the weekend, and starting another week of data conversions. It has been hard to push through today. I got an iced tea with my dinner in the bar of The Old Spaghetti Factory. Wine or beer would have put me out. I was having dinner there as it is close to the Men’s Warehouse. I had stopped by the Men’s Warehouse store for them to redo my measurements on the alteration for the three suits; just the coats needed to be done again. Lenny, a 40-something gal, and their tailor, another thirty-something gal, retook the measurements. The suits should be ready next week.

At the pasta place, I sat at the bar and watched Brazil crush Panama’s women’s team, 4-0, in the World Cup while eating my spaghetti and meatballs. I cheered on Pananma to make at least one goal–nope. The strong teams are moving forward; no surprises this time.

I love areas that serve salads and bread. I was feeling too tired to cook. Mariah was busy, so she did not join me. With the meatballs and other food safely inside me, I drove home and started on laundry and dishes.

The ants, which I pay people to exterminate, filled the kitchen sink, and I then had to fight back the hoard with bleach spray; I had not cleaned the sink after making lunch. The dishwasher did not start last night, and I had to run that. Thus I read more WW2 Spy stuff in the next book of the series, Silesian Station, by David Downing. Recommended. I hate ants.

I finally started back on the blog and will cover a few items today.

This is Monday, so I do not work from the office on Mondays and Fridays. I rested until after 7AM and had scones I made a few nights ago with French Press-made liberal coffee. The scones are in an air-tight container.

The day was the usual status meeting. A significant break or missed requirement (depending on who you are) was discovered, and my colleagues enjoyed hours of meetings in that. I could clean up and dress between meetings and just follow along.

I had onions, celery, and other items to let me make a tuna fish salad bagel in the broiler today–an NYC bagel to boot (thanks, Joyce). I finished that and then rushed out (leaving a bonanza of tuna stuff for the ants), believing I would finish the dishes in the early evening. Air Volvo delivered me to Susie’s place at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. There was light traffic.

It was cloudy, and some raindrops here and there. With a blanket, I headed outside with Susie. We stopped by another bench as it was not hot today and called Barb, Susie’s sister, and Leta, Susie’s mother, on FaceTime. Leta connected for the third time. While chatting, a yellow jacket wasp came, and then another. I could not get them to leave, so we rolled across the grass to escape, but they followed us for over 100 feet. They finally left us alone, and we headed back. I spoke to the park manager and shared our experience. The nest is a hazard (according to the manager), and the manager will search for it–a child could unknowingly stand on the nest and get seriously stung. We have crossed over the part of summer to when the yellow jackets are aggressive.

We returned to the hummingbird house, and Susie was comfortable in her bed while I worked. I put on the old Disney Alice in Wonderland animated movie, which neither of us remembered–it is not very good. I worked while that was happening and did one status call. I was sleepy now and did nod off once. I rallied after that and did one more design call. Susie was then watching M.A.S.H. and had a whole Ensure as a snack.

At 4:45 or so, I headed out with a kiss after rearranging Susie, so she was safe. Rosari, the night nursing aide, was making dinner, and she will check on Susie for me. From there, I drove in some traffic to the Men’s Warehouse, deciding that I could treat myself to dinner if I would do the refitting.

And that is all for today. Thanks for reading!