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As our old director used to say at Nike, “Thank God it is Friday; there are only two more working days to this week.” Yes working the weekend for the second one in a row. Data conversions are running on 7/24, and our team has been loading the critical path master data from the project for weeks. This is our last practice (it is followed by a Dress Rehearsal where production support starts to take over for us). I am doing the 8-4 shift, covering the status meetings, and approving things.

I was thus busy all day as various approvals, emergencies, and some crises of the moment arose. This all started for me; Friday is a sleep-in and a work-from-home day, at 7:30ish, with my first meeting at 8 on Zoom. This is followed by an hour more of various status and update meetings on Zoom.

I made breakfast sausages in the oven, nearly forgetting them, and I forgot to put them, cooked, into the frig and had to toss the rest later (oops). I got coffee made and had only a cup in the morning. I was approving and reading things. There were a lot of questions today. Odd for a Friday.

I got to my stretches and exercises, today the basic ones, around 10ish and finally showered and dressed after 11 when things settled for a bit. Next, I boarded Air Volvo and headed to Susie’s place. I stopped by McDonald’s and got dad Wild’s fav (two cheeseburgers meal with fries and a drink, $7.50–no sales tax here)–It reminds me of Bob WIld. From there, I headed into the slightly heavy Beaverton Traffic, taking twenty-five minutes to reach the hummingbird house. I witnessed no imaginative driving, but construction was shutting down lanes randomly; at least, it seemed random, so there was always something to watch out for.

I arrived safely to find Susie still in her recliner in the living room. Jennifer was playing oldies on a portable radio, and the vast TV showed ocean scenes–slightly surreal, but I liked it. Jennifer, to the Bee Gees, got Susie ready (no disco moves) for a trip to the park. While it was only in the low 50Fs (10C), there was no rain or wind. Yes, time to rush outside and enjoy it. Also, today is the warmest day in the forecast for ten days!

Susie also handed me, very happily, a Valentine she helped make. She wrote our names on it. I am sure they helped her assemble it. I treasure it.

Susie was in her heavy leather coat, hat, and scarf and wrapped in a blanket in her wheelchair. She was comfy for the trip. Metzger Park was dry, and we crossed onto the sidewalk with only a slight bump. The park manager put in extra gravel for us last year; it was very kind to make it an easy transition. The gravel has washed away, but it is still only a tiny bump.

The park was full of kids and people with their dogs. One gal was on a bench and threw the ball, and her dog brought it back. We learned as we laughed (the dog held all the balls and was trying to get her pet human to come and get the balls). The human had knee issues, and soon the dog relented. It was fun to watch.

Also, Homeless folks who live in their cars come to the bathroom at the park and clean up a bit. Everyone is friendly and happy to see each other. The pandemic has made nearly everyone glad to see other folks!

We called Leta, as usual, and soon connected with her (Leta is Susie’s mother). We talked about her day, and Susie was more responsive today, and I have noticed her voice is more substantial. St. V Day seems to have been good for her. But it is cold, and time is flying away from me. Time to get Susie back and head back to the house.

I leave with a kiss this time; Covid-19 be d**n’d. The cross-Beaverton traffic is not as bad; it is still before the end-of-school traffic jams. Back to the online stuff, and more crazy starts to surface–surprising on a Friday. I take a short rest and then pick up the last meetings, discuss a few crises of the moment, and help here and there. Finally, I stopped at 5ish.

I started on the paperwork for my 2022 Taxes. I managed to get a total of the medical expenses for 2022 (over $123,000) and assembled the information for my new CPA. I reheated the Tagine-styled chicken and had that for dinner with reheated coffee while working on my info. Despite President Trump’s tax changes to the SALT (State and Local Taxes) deduction (reduced it), I may be able to breach the standard deduction and get a pile back. Hoping for that. All the 1099s are in, and I have totaled everything I need. I have letters to Forest Grove Rehab and Care Center (Susie’s home Nov-April last year) for better documentation, just in case. Everything is ready, I think, for the CPA.

Got a surprise bill from last year, over $900, that I thought I paid, but it looks like they lost the check (it was never presented). This was in the middle of the mess that was chemo, and I was not paying attention very well then. I paid it today, again. I got a refund of $170 or so bucks from NYC’s Mount Sinia West with little explanation. All very strange.

So I am thrilled to reach the next milestone, Taxes 2022: Ready for CPA, so I went to Wildwood Taphpouse to write the blog. I also picked up the big table in the house some more. So I am slowly returning things back to order. I plan to get things back in order and start painting figures and building models again soon. And then there is that coding for the AI stuff. So many cool things to do. Despite the crap, like $123,000 in medical bills, life is still exciting and fun.

Tonight, I am still following along at work too. Always Available.

Thanks for reading and for all the help and good wishes you send.

I again forgot to get a picture of Susie today, sorry.

Someday I will sleep until 6AM instead of waking at 5:30ish and waking and falling asleep a few times until it is five minutes, too, and then the deep sleep comes just in time for the alarm to startle me out of bed. I grabbed my phone; no calls and no crises at the shoe company, and I contemplated skipping my exercises and stretches and sleeping another hour, but that would be more walking up and over and over, so it best to start Thursday.

Thus, I walked to the kitchen. I started by unloading the clean ones and replacing them with dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Then, I loaded the electric kettle for coffee with water and headed to the living room. 1990s Alternative Rock and Grunge playing on Alexa while I did the complete list on the carpet. This includes a rubber strip around my legs to pressure me as I side-step down and back from the bedroom. I did not think of this until now: Music.

I rushed through the exercises with all the fast-paced 1990s music. I made coffee, liberal, in my French Press and identified a banana and yogurt with fruit for breakfast. I was quickly caught up on the events of the previous night for our data conversions for the project, and my email (mostly junk) and even read the events–more mass shootings and the dead for the earthquake totaling more than 20,000–sad to have so many newish building crumbles. Corruption is deadly.

It is not just Turkey and Syria, Portland is not ready, and all those unprotected buildings and bridges will come down on a large-scale earthquake; the last big quake was in 1799 and was so big that the wave hit Japan, and there was damage to cargo ships in the Japansese harbors (this was recorded in old accounting records recently discovered). With the housing crunch in Portland, nobody is talking about condemning buildings that are not reinforced. The library, Powell’s Books, and City Hall are all reinforced, but hundreds of older brick and iron-framed buildings are not. The loss of life in Portland will be huge when the big one hits (7+).

The Volvo Cave had to have an unsafe electrical box (!) replaced—it was cheap and faulty (yes, corruption is not just found in foreign lands). The water heater was upgraded (same). The foundation is not reinforced, and the corners are not bolted (same), but the house will likely survive unless it subducts in the clay (no way of really knowing if this will happen–too many variables). Earthquake insurance has been purchased for the Volvo Cave. The house will likely take some rebuilding (the foundation will fail, but not enough to destroy the house) as the flooring is 2x4s and will survive anything short of a fire. I would expect a $50,000 repair bill with insurance covering anything above that (yes, you must pay the first part).

Returning to the narrative, I showered, dressed, and boarded Air Volvo and was at the office before 8AM. My boss is still out ill. I started my day with a new challenge. Leadership had a recent crisis of the moment for me. I rallied my team, and we managed to work on the issue, but the next shift will do more work. I also read designs, approved various fixes, and tried to be helpful.

Lunch today was with Scott at the WHQ for Nike, Serena William’s building. I parked in the NYC garage, always near empty on the 3rd and 4th floor, and walked to the GOAT’s building (Greatest of All Time). It is a lovely walk through a forest with a brick path (grey-black bricks). The cafe in the building has a beautiful salad bar, and Scott and I both enjoy it, plus some excellent artisan bread. We talked about work and his newest work. It is always fun to catch up.

Next, I traveled on 26 to 217 to Susie’s place. I think she was just finishing lunch when I arrived; Jennifer, the live in nurse aide, had Susie ready when I got there for the social activity room. We connected with Susie’s mother, Leta, and she and Susie chatted for some time. Leta even had a call from Susie’s sister, Barb, while we were using FaceTime on my iPhone to connect. Leta and Susie like to see each other. After Leta rang off, I covered the plans for the next couple of days with Susie. I think Saturday will be the mall (I have to lift Susie into and out of the Volvo), and Sunday will be a movie. Susie liked the plan. Friday will be the usual quick visit during a work day. Nike will change to summer hours in May 2023, and I expect to watch a movie or like activity on Friday afternoon. Nike also closes for a week in August.

I returned to the crises and helped move them forward. We had a few misstep (none can be expanded here), but we recovered. The following shift folks will cover what we cannot. The big event is early this coming morning. I hope India has a good day (night/morning for us).

I headed home after the 4:30 status meeting. The traffic was usual for Thursday (slightly busy) in our area. I put out the trash as it is Thursday (Friday pickup). I rested for a bit, got turned down to buy dinner for some folks, and headed to BJ’s Brewhouse alone, but Eric, my usual waiter, was ready for me. I was too late for a porkchop; you need to be here by 5:30 to be assured of getting one, but I had the small steak with baked potato, beans, and beer, and it was perfect (the Tri-tip is on special for happy hour). Later, coffee with a shot of almond liqueur on the side. Finished with a single scoop of chocolate ice cream.

Full, happy, relaxed, and enjoying writing the blog tonight at BJ’s with Eric ready for me. All good.

I was planning on doing tax stuff tonight, but after a day of crises (that I cannot describe here), taxes were not going to be done tonight.

I have been reading Fritz Leiber’s the Grey Mouser and Fafhrd series by another author. The last book in the series. It is terrible, and the hack cannot find his voice and does not try to copy Leiber’s style (1998), but it is still nice to revisit this fantasy world. The heroes’ greatest story is early on in their tales: Ill Met in Lankhmar. I recommend you search it out for a true dose of Swords and Sorcery from the 1950s (yes, that far back). The other story, “Adept’s Gambit,” from 1947 (!), is often my model for writing Dungeons and Dragons adventures, with me rereading it when I need inspiration. In the strange world of comics, Grey Mouser and Farhrd work with CatWomen. Even a hack job is still great. I recommend the series.

Well, it is a good night. The project news is good, as some long-running jobs have been completed early. It has been fun to eat and drink in the bar.

Thanks for reading.

It was a frustrating day at work, and those happened. Had I not needed the pay and health insurance, I would have been out of there–but it is not possible to retire immediately, no matter how tempting (or driven to madness) I am. Thus I will remove all mention of the shoe company today; otherwise, my jaw will be sore from clenching while writing. The games helped me refocus on important things (fun with friends).

So moving backward, I just finished the season’s newest season of Vox Machina. I liked the ending, and the action was well done. This animated series was created using Kickstarter to fund the first season and is based on Dungeons and Dragons. It is profane and funny. I liked this season as it reminds me when our player characters move to a higher level, there are lots of changes and new powers.

For a snack, I sliced the ham from Olympic Provisions and some cheese I had with Triscuit crackers. I had a bagel-like product for a light dinner while I did not enjoy a meeting at work. The product is locally made; I thoroughly enjoyed and finished my NYC bagels–thanks, Joyce and Smiths (plus Jason).

Between these meals, I met Zophia (Z) at First United Methodist Church to play games while Z’s mother, Dondrea, and the choir practiced. Z picked out the board game Wingspan as our first game for today. Z has a birthday coming up, and I will let Z pick a game for the upcoming event as a gift. Z managed to play very well and win by three points. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of adding some low-point birds to my sanctuary, and I gave away one of the goals by not paying attention. Z was on top of it the whole time and thus scored the win. Next time!

WIndspan is a resource management game where you build and manage a bird sanctuary. Birds are cards you play, and then you run a habitat and get special abilities from the bird cards. For example, there are little eggs to put on bird cards. It is an elegant game with the only flaw of being a bit random.

Next, Z and I managed 3/4 of a Vindication game. I received my upgrade yesterday, applied all the changes, and even reviewed the rules in the new, better rule book. The game is now in a giant box about twice the size of the original swanky version. The new box fits all the parts and expansions and comes with new trays for each player that really improve the setup and put-away. The game is primarily unchanged by these upgrades, and Z can soon remember how to play and was soon fighting monsters and earning superpowers called traits. I was teleporting all over the board using a relic and collecting help from many companions. I also vindicated myself (no longer a wretched scumbag), gaining more abilities. We had about thirty more minutes (or maybe a bit less) to finish, but at least we got to try it out.

Vindication is an elegant game where you try to vindicate yourself and stop being a scumbag. You find helpful companions, explore, discover great powers, and overcome monsters. The resource management system is particular to the game and brilliant. It was fun to try it out again with all the new trays; I will finally paint the guild items and maybe even use them. Since acquiring the game in 2018, I have only played the basic game with only a few add-ons. Time to finally play all this cool stuff.

Moving back to the morning, I had a bad cough, and when learning a fellow employee tested positive for Covid-19, I was worried. I returned home and tested. Negative. Just asthma, again. I got a text from a friend, and she, too, had to use her inhaler. The valley was full of fog and stagnant air, which was my real issue.

As I did not have Covid-19, I visited Susie but kept my distance again (no kisses today) like it was 2022 again. We sat in the social activity room, called Susie’s mother, Leta, and connected. Susie and Leta talked for a while about Leta’s battle with mice. Her porch was removed from her house, and now they can block the place where the mice are getting in. Leta plans to have a nice deck and stairs built later.

After we said goodbye to Leta, I talked to Susie about our finances, saying we were doing fine and how I was getting ready for taxes. I told her we were good for 2023, and I think I can handle 2024 too. She was happy to chat a bit; it was a one-sided conversation, but it was still lovely. I left with just a wave–Susie was happy I made it and tested negative.

Before this, I was up at 6AM and did my exercises and stretches.

Well, I am tired, and it is approaching 11PM. Thank you for reading!

Going backward, I am working on the blog at the house in my office. I spent the evening assembling my update for my original copy of the board game Vindication (2018). The changes are interesting, as Vindication was the first Kickstarter game that used special trays to hold the game components. Now, as this is the standard, the new trays stack better, and there is a picture in the rulebook that suggests how to assemble the game. Also, there are now manyoptions to play in the game, and the number of cards is no longer forced by the size of the trays–there is plenty of room. The original game came with a piece of foam to protect the oddly shaped board, no more as it fits in the trays. Overall it is an impressive improvement. With all the additions, the game sells now for $349 at Gamestewards.com! I remember paying $100 for my original copy. I have slowly added to it over two Kickstarters and a few promo packs.

Aside: I put pictures of the game on FaceBook for Vindication. There is a tradition to show when you received the game and the size by comparing it to a banana. The supporters of the game are a crazy happy bunch.

Before this, I assembled orecchiette pasta, a spicy sauce from a jar, and premade meatballs from Safeway. I just heated the sauce and then fried and baked the meatballs (in the frypan). I find meatballs fried and baked in their frypan are better–A trick from Corwin’s grandmother. It was too good, and I had too much. I watched a few more Vox Machina episodes, but once I was done eating–I immediately started on Vindication. It made me very happy to rework my board game.

Before arriving at the Volvo Cave in Air Volvo to find an unexpected huge box at the house, I was at work. The afternoon was quiet as we hit a bit of a boring stretch in the enormous data conversion. There were cookies, cakes, and hot chocolate for St. Valentine’s Day at our building, and I had some and chatted with some folks. It is funny how the pandemic has made it still exciting to see someone for the first time in a year or so.

I will move to lunch by skipping the various crises of the moment and some process items. I went to Red Robin near Washinton Square Mall after visiting Susie for lunch. My bartender was the cook. I always sit at the bar (the surface was freezing), and the chairs are too close, so it is difficult to get by folks at the bar next to folks at a table–a terrible setup, but I like the better service you get in the bar. Apparently, they were short-staffed, like everywhere, and the cook was the bartender. I ordered my usual chicken breast and salad platter and a Diet Coke. The bartender brought me some french fries; she reported that my lunch was burned and they were trying again. I just laughed and thought it crazy that the cook, my bartender, was explaining to the backup cook how to make my lunch. It was perfect when I got my lunch ten minutes later with even more fries. What a strange place, so Portland.

As I said, I was visiting Susie at the hummingbird house before this. I brought her two sets of flowers (red roses plus a mixed group) and a heart-shaped box of candies. Susie, apparently the hummingbird house folks ensured that Susie was not empty-handed, gave me a small box of sweets in a heart-shaped box for St. Valentine’s Day. I was impressed that the folks at the facility understand that their residents need to be able to provide hospitality to guests. It is a human need to provide for your guests and families and is often forgotten in healthcare-based settings. So it was excellent to receive a gift from Susie! Excellent Allegiance Senior Care!

With all the loot, Susie got a collection of balloons from her mother and warm heart-covered socks from her sister; we headed to the social room to call Susie’s mother. We had a friendly chat (and called back when we found the balloons in Susie’s room) about St. Valentine’s Day and various other issues. Susie was happy and following along. I could not stay long as I was expecting trouble (it never happened) in the afternoon and soon left with a kiss.

Later on, they frosted cookies and did some other crafts.

Before this, I was at work at 8 after raising at 6AM and doing all my exercises. I had a banana and liberal coffee for breakfast. I tried not to overdo my stretches today. Air Volvo and I had no trouble getting in with the weather; we had only some half-melted snow instead of the snow-magaddon some expected.

I was tired most of the day, and the alarm at 6AM was not welcomed by anyone. I had, as usual, woken at 5-something and then fell asleep just in time to be woken. I saw no white outside and got ready to take Air Volvo to work.

Well, I am getting tired. Time to stop. Thanks for reading.

Monday the 13th started with me sleeping into 7:15ish. I started the day with coffee and made steel-cut oats for breakfast. You just boil some water and stir once in a while for twenty minutes. I then add brown sugar, dried cranberries, and walnut pieces when I pour the porage out of the pan.

I have about ninety minutes of meetings on Monday with some overlapping. The defect meeting finishes early so I can make the standup that overlaps. I had quite a few emails and Slack messages to work on. I spent the morning trying to approve designs, changes, and emergencies. It was non-stop until it all seemed to stop at about 11ish.

Thus I could head to see Susie at that time, 11 or so. The travel was in light traffic with rain, not the usual Oregon mist, but no local flooding so far. I did see many police cars painted in Beaverton’s livery. I had not noticed until I was looking at a police car next to me how the doors are painted in a blue that gets darker as it descends the door. Without interacting with any police or avoiding my fellow driver’s interpretation of Oregon driving rules, I reached the hummingbird house without incident.

Susie was in bed and on her side to help her body function; she was uncomfortable. Details will not be shared but are likely obvious and not severe. With me holding the phone, we managed to call Leta (Susan’s mother), and they chatted for a while. Leta likes to see Susie, so she waits for me to call daily with FaceTime on my iPhone. I did not stay long as Susie fell asleep and needed rest.

Next, I retraced my path across Beaverton and stopped at Safeway, not far from the Volvo Cave. I was on a replenishment run, filled five bags, and acquired some flowers for Susie and a box of chocolates in a heart shape–Susie’s only and every year request for St. Valentine’s day. She cannot safely eat the candy, but we will work something out at the hummingbird house (we may chop up a chocolate and put it on ice cream).

Now that I had bread and sliced swiss cheese, I made a ham sandwich for lunch using the Olympic Provision ham. This included a pickle (freshly replenished) and potato chips (freshly reacquired). Worked slowed as the data conversions are now all long-running ones. I started on dinner while following along. I made a tagine-styled chicken with preserved lemons, olives, carrots, potatoes, onions, and plenty of tagine spices. I had bought some skinless and boneless chicken thighs for the tagine dinner. I had too much, so good, three bowls.

Cable was working; I use Amazon Fire over my Wifi. So I watched more of Vox Machina, the animated series based on Dungeons and Dragons. Still very profane but fun for us D&D folks. I like this new season.

I checked in a few times for work, and there were a few crises of the moment, but nothing to worry about. However, I did send out a note that folks can decide to work from home if the weather (snow) is a concern.

I then headed to Wildwood Taphouse to see folks and write the blog.

The final tax document, delivered four days early, was released today. I will get a summary of medical expenses created and a list of our charitable giving and take the paperwork to my new CPA. Here we go!

Susie received a bag of comfy Valentine’s socks today. Unfortunately, there was no name or card. Thanks for the gift!

Thanks for reading.