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I will skip the normal work summary. Nothing broke today at work that I cover, and thus it was a slow day without much to do but read email and listen to status meetings. I did have my review, and I did Ok.

Lunch was at Wendy’s nearby. I ate inside. Again, trying to get over the fear and experience how lunch is done now. The staff had masks on, and folks generally wore masks. They are no longer required, according to a note on the door.

I watched the trains while I ate. We have a train line that runs along the main road. It is not freight or passengers. It is lumber and cut trees. Today I watched blacken trees, cut from last year’s big fires, go by. I was surprised to see them. Salvage logging usually does not produce good lumber, but these cut trees looked like only the bark was burned. It was a reminder of how bad last year’s fire season really was.

Later, Susie and I took Air Volvo to McDonald’s. Susie had her fav of a Happy Meal with apples, and she is now adding a hot apple pie. I had Bob Wild’s fav; I always think of him when I order it, the cheap two cheeseburger meal.

I headed to Portland this evening to play board games with Richard and folks. The drive took more than an hour in Air Volvo. I counted five disabled cars, one crash (five cars lengths in front of me), and two ambulances running light with everyone diving out of the way. The trip to Portland from home has been longer with the worst traffic, but that was one of the worst trips for me in a few years.

We played a game I have never done before, Dwellings of Eldervale. This is a worker placement game with a bit of 4x violence worked in (the link sends you to a definition of 4X). It has spells and a fantasy setting. You try to build dwellings, defeat monsters, and defeat your opponents in combat. I went for massive combat. I was able to win many battles and build a few houses. There are also special abilities cards that I did not focus on; it was my first play, and engine building requires a better handle on the rules. Once I understood the gameplay, I became feared as my faction was good at combat, and I spent my resources summoning my super fighter and dragon.

It is a lovely-looking game, and the monsters have stands that growl or hiss or other sounds. The monsters are huge 3D figures about four inches tall and dipped in stain to look more 3D. They look great with just that simple coloring!

The game that Richard owns is the top full-bling version from a Kickstarter. It has very nice trays for everything with lids and instructions on putting it away in a special extra-large box. Dwellings of Eldervale was fun to play and required you to make difficult decisions, the best kind of game. The spell cards are random and can be devastating. The ability cards are necessary to win and to create the engines to get resources to acquire more. Combat was fast and easy to understand and reminded me of the Bloodrage board game, but a bit better. The track for powers is also important, but I was just starting to understand it.

I look forward to playing the game again and learning how to build an engine. I was just a few points ahead of the lowest scoring player and just a few points behind second place. Richard smoked us.

I will stop there as I am rushed as it is late, and I want to sleep a bit better tonight. Thanks for reading my shorter blog.

I was so tired going to bed last night that I nearly took Wednesday off. But, there is a data conversion going on, and even if I tried to do that, I would still be on-call and would follow along on email and Slack messages. I often log on again late to check that nothing has happened between 5-9ish when I make dinner, relax a bit, and then write this blog. Which can be work or relaxing depending on how pressed I feel about writing something interesting or bright. Today I have a few stories, so I feel better about writing.

Work started at 7ish after I awoke to my alarm at 6, checked email and my meeting schedule, and saw I could rest another hour. Instead, I fell asleep and had a non-restful dream.

I dreamed that I was at some strange airport in Europe to collect Susie and other folks to get home. I was walking all over the airport trying to find everyone and then trying to find my flight. I was dreamed there were trains and subways that I had to take. Somewhere on some platform, I would find Susie and then find the flight. I needed to be on time as I needed to be at Nike to do a data conversion the next day. Not a happy dream! I was more tired when I awoke five to 7.

Tired, I started reading email and slack channels. I managed to read everything and get dressed and shiny and clean by the 8AM first status meeting. I had only an hour of status meetings.

I was now fatigued, and seeing that I was free for two hours, I rested and slept for about 90 minutes. It worked. I awoke ready. That was an improvement.

I had a new vendor patch to put in (SAP note to those who speak SAP). I then put it in but included it under the wrong general change (Change Request to those who speak SAP). There is no undo button. I manually copied the entries from one change to another, something one never wishes to do but now required. It requires hand keying and coping with all the details of a change one line at a time. It was only four lines, so I was able to quickly correct my mistake. I ran the checks, and I got it right. Even twenty-plus years of SAP applying SAP notes (patches to the non-SAP folks), you can still screw up if you are not very careful. The joke in IT nowadays is that the Intern made a mistake–No, the expert did this one.

With Covid-19 unlock, I am trying to practice lunch. It is still emotionally difficult for me to drive Air Volvo and eat lunch sit-down. After getting gas for Air Volvo and paying more than I have in a long time, I went to the nearby Round Table Pizza. They have tables to eat at, but beer and the salad bar are still not available. I tried to order a personal-sized pizza, King Arthur’s Pizza; I doubt that King Arthur did eat pizza, but it looked good, and I am not there to debate their scholarship. I added a side caesar salad and a diet Pepsi. My order created great confusion. Apparently, the incantation, sticking with the theme, was something Merlin only knew, and they could not figure out how to use the cash register to have me pay for the “lunch special.” I believe the manager, all masked and without name tags, found the correct spell to get me my lunch at the lunch price. They even used a hand calculator! Apparently, I was the first or one of the only recent customers to order at the counter. Having helped with a training moment, I was cheered. I was helping to end the stupid parts of the pandemic by just showing up.

It made them happy and excited to have a customer. My pizza and salad were good.

I then read my email on my laptop. I had re-upped my membership to the US Naval Institue, loving their books and the huge discount I get as a member. I also get their newsletter. Today, a congressional report on the China Navy and its threat to the USA was published in the newsletter with a link to the published report. I skimmed the report while eating my pizza and salad and refreshed my knowledge of the People’s Republic’s Navy. My more conservative friends believe the China Navy is a threat. I read the report and enjoyed the information–the facts are great. The comments using words like antiquated and starter-aircraft carrier were more with my viewpoint. I was impressed with the number of nuclear attack submarines in use by the People’s Navy. The largest part of the PRC navy is frigates. Like Iran and other would-be actors in conflicts with the USA, that fits with my expectation; many missiles on many different small ships are the best hope in a modern battle with a more powerful foe. While looking modern and strangely styled like existing USA warships, the PRC ships show very little electronic mounted (the report had excellent color photos of the PRC ships). USA ships are covered in a mass of devices. The report highlighted the need for modern ships to meet the threat. Still, it interestingly suggested re-architecting (the word used in the congressional report) the force structure not centered on nuclear aircraft carriers. I found it all interesting as it reminds me of other books I have read about the building of the WW1 and WW2 navies. There are choices and debates on the choices.

I ordered two new books from the Navy Institute yesterday, one on the history of the USA creating the nuclear strike force, Winning Armageddon (what a title!), and another on the creation of the great WW1 British fleet, Genesis of the Grand Fleet. It is interesting to me how today echos the past all too clearly. That is actually why the second book was written, to explain the decisions of how the first great modern fleet was created to the current generation of naval thinkers. Or, in my case, an interested computer architect. Always there is something to learn from reading today’s thoughts and reflecting on thoughts of more than 100 years ago and folks thinking the unthinkable sixty years ago.

I returned via Air Volvo to home and had more status meetings. I slipped away for an hour to rest and read my newest read. I am betting the reader will not be shocked that it is Naval History. The famous writer of historical fiction, the Hornblower series, excited young people with dreams of fighting sail for years; C.S. Forrester wrote in 1929 a biography of Lord Nelson, my fav historical figure. I found the first edition for just $12 before the pandemic at Powell’s, and I then lost it in the house. I found it under the bed last week. I forgot how much I liked C.S. Forrester and his approach to Nelson is to only state what we have evidence for. I like this, and it would have been refreshing back in 1929. I can see his writing style and demand to be evidence-based in the later books I have read. I am enjoying the story and Nelson’s disgust for Americans and Frenchmen. The book assumes you already know Nelson’s story and are reading this book for more details. It is cheap and interesting to me, I have lost count of the Nelson and Trafalgar books I have read, but I am not sure I can recommend it. I can recommend if you have the pandemic blues and need a story to get lost in, C.S. Forrester’s Hornblower series is worth it (the first book is $3.10 on Kindle).

After finishing the last status meeting at about 5PM-ish, I made dinner. Schwann’s provisioned it all. First, I defrosted their bone-in pork chops, fried them in a pan after I sprinkled them with salt and Chinese Five Spice. I finished them in the oven for 35 minutes. Next, I made Schwann’s mashed potatoes in a pan. I also microwaved their green beans and then cooked them in a saucepan with just butter and salt; I like them cooked very hot. It was well-received even with the Asain flavors. After reading about Nelson, I could not use French spices!

My last rose to bloom this summer is Mister Lincoln. It was just a stick I ordered from Heritage Roses just before the pandemic. It has flowered once. Today it has two buds on new growth. I think the extreme heat killed off the bugs and slugs that I believe were eating it. The new growth, formed as the heat-dome started (114F one day), shows no holes or brown spots from aphids. I am looking forward to seeing the bloom in a few weeks. Mister Lincoln is a hybrid tea rose and breath-taking. This is my second time trying to grow it. It forms long canes–not really a bush.

244 people in the USA died today from the virus. None are reported to be vaccinated.

I randomly turned to Go Down Moses in the Methodist Hymnal. I found this new version.

I started at 6ish and then saw that I had no meetings until 8AM, so I went back to sleep until 7ish. Then, I started back and read my email and replied on a few items. I managed to have breakfast and chat via Slack with my colleagues in India. I managed to be dressed and ready for the first status meeting at 8:30 and then passed thru another three-plus hours of status and alignment meetings. A typical Monday-Tuesday day after a holiday. I finished before noon and then drove Air Volvo to Burger King. I had a whopper with slightly better fries. I brought Corwin a double bacon burger. He had a Zoom meeting, too, so I brought back lunch.

Susie started the late morning. I rested a bit. I was dizzy and was having trouble with my ears being plugged from allergies. I got up to help Susie when she called; I rushed getting up and nearly fell over. I got some things to help, and that has gone away (details best skipped).

I then ran some chores that I needed to do. I dropped Corwin off to replace his phone. I did the banking and pharmacies things. Schwann’s truck was by and purchased more goodies. I managed to make the last status meeting and had to comment about some of the data conversions. Busy day!

I was going to cook some Schwann’s pork chops and veggies, but then I heard something say to me, “Margarita.” So off to the local Mexican place. Susie was happy to get outside. Mazatlan Aloha was perfect.

Nike stock broke $160 today. My 401K is showing more than a 10% return annualized.

202 people in the USA died from Covid-19. None of the people we lost today are reported to be vaccinated.

I picked a fav that I can sing, and I remember singing it loud at many churches–it requires little skill to get the basic it rights: It Is Well With My Soul.

Today I tried to focus on my Hell War Machine model after getting started. I managed to get quite a lot done until I discovered I had glued a wheel axial with some CA glue that somehow ran from the parts I was working on. I had to break open the model and repair the wheel. I put the model away for the day. It was frustrating to lose a day’s work. I generally stop when I make a mistake. Usually, that means I am rushing or tired.

I managed to not glue myself to the model or glue my fingers together!

The morning started with a Memorial Service for a family friend in Michigan. Susie watched the Zoom service, which was well done, and Zoom and the music worked very well. It shows how much we have learned and how comfortable the pastor was with the media. He managed to talk into a laptop recording the service on Zoom and to also hold the attention of the live folks in pews at the church. The speakers also, while often looking at the congregation, managed to be clear and expressive. I was impressed; it was a moving service even on Zoom in Oregon.

I moved to another room and used my Nike computer for status meetings at Nike for the data conversions. The data conversions are going well and are days ahead of plan. I did my timesheet and checked my email. This all while Susie watched the memorial service on my Apple computer.

The service was at 8ish, and we were dressed in time and could use the camera. Susie had about twenty minutes to get ready for her spa appointment with Zeriada. She managed to have some Eggo Waffles with peanut butter and coffee before her driver picked her up.

I continued with my model after Susie headed out and then left for lunch, taking Air Volvo. I drove to The Streets of Tanasbourne Mall looking for something I used to do for lunch. This mall is outdoors walking. Walking outside on a sunny day, I stopped by Ma-Now for Thai food. I have not been there for a long time–when we moved to a different office building Ma-Now was too far for lunch. I had a massaman curry and a Thai iced tea. There were few people there. My waiter told me they are still not getting that many customers, but there is more and more each day. Yes, one-day-at-time for everyone, I think as we start the beginning of the end of the pandemic, I hope.

I also went into REI, looked at a t-shirt ($29), and decided that it was a bit much. About half the people had masks on in the store. The staff was still masked.

Most people outside did not wear masks at Tanabourne. However, everyone still kept social distancing. Masks were carried and put on when entering stores.

I returned and managed to break my model. I then watched more of Season 6 of Game of Thrones. I am liking this season and have trouble not binge-watching. I finally understand why the show was so well received. The story, acting, and camera work is much improved in seasons 5 and 6.

I was contacted by Richard, but he could not get enough folks for a surprise Monday night game. Online Dungeons and Dragons using Roll20 canceled today; folks are still traveling for a holiday.

I instead made dinner. I made a German-style stew-goulash. I put veggies in it (taters and carrots). It takes a few hours to make, and as I had no games tonight, I made the goulash while doing laundry and watching more Game of Thrones. It has been a while since I cooked dinner from scratch, and it was good and fun.

More laundry and maybe Game of Thrones tonight.

Happy Holidays!

I slept poorly and finally slept sometime after 3ish. Susie was up a few times last night. This is twice in a row, so I am building a large deficit in sleep. Usually, I have to repay that illness or just sleeping early and well someday. Maybe tonight!

I logged into work at least every few hours and kept my phone ready all day. I am on call for the data conversions running through the holidays.

The morning of 8ish was started with a killer leg cramp. This is not a way to started July 4th with your own internal fireworks! But I managed to walk it off.

We managed to get going and make church. Not our regular church, but Aloha United Methodist, a few minutes away. They opened for services, and today was communion Sunday. Our friends, the Revs Anne and Wayne Weld-Martins, help the church and run communion. It was strange not to sing at church, and sitting in chairs separated was also new to me. Aloha Methodist always used chairs, so their sanctuary easily aligned to the new social distancing model.

Rev Anne gave the sermon about immigration and independence, and it was worth, I think, finding on YouTube and watching. We all were wearing masks.

We took Air Volvo and went to BJ’s Brewhouse for a post-church lunch like a normal pre-Covid-19 Sunday. We had a nice lunch and a good time just hanging out.

After dropping off the Revs., we got home and took a nap. Susie slept until 6:30PM.

I started back on my Hell War Machine kitbashing project. I finally got the front of the war machine done and have decided on a look. Unfortunately, I lost track of time, and it was near 7ish. I also watched some Game of Thrones while working on the kitbashing.

I ordered Mexican food for dinner delivered. It was delivered just as it was getting dark.

My neighbors are doing their firework party. The lights are off, and the street and sky are full of various legal and illegal explosions. Chris, who lives next door, has water running and buckets ready. He also watered his lawn, where most of the fire might land.

I stopped working on the model building when I made a couple mistakes. That is when you are tired or distracted that you make mistakes. When I make three I stop. I have a lot of cutting and I will wait until I am more awake before I do that!

Susie has a Zoom meeting funeral for a family friend in Michigan at 8AM. So need to sleep soon. If the explosions will just stop.