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I took Friday off. I will attend the weekly team meeting on Friday for one team as it is important to be supportive.

I just finished at 8:45PM my last meeting, a planning meeting for data conversions with China on China time.

Let’s go backward today.

Tonight, I masked the bases of figures I am painting for a friend. I bought a spare set of the board game Scythe’s models from the game manufacturer. I will switch these for unpainted ones; I always have a spare unpainted set. I keep painting them for friends who have a copy of Scythe. I am using a Japanese model masking take. You can cut it into a mask over parts with a sharp knife (I use a scalpel).

Before this, I was reading a new space opera series starting with On Basilisk Station. I have read David Weber, and he can be hit or miss. The book has sudden scene changes that have left me confused. The story has a lot of sudden advancements too. I bought the two first ones for free. I hope it gets better. 

Dinner was Orecchiette Pasta, De Cecco, with Vodka Sauce from a jar (Whole Foods), and I baked frozen Italian-styled meatballs in the oven (Schwann’s). I have to admit I love the feel of Orecchiette and had three bowls. The meatballs are average–I will have to find a recipe–but are still good with sauce.

I slipped out from work after the last 3ish status meeting. Four hours of Zoom status meetings today!

I picked up three bottles of paint, glue, and a painting tray at Tammy’s Hobbies today in Beaverton. The older gentleman at the checkout was not wearing his mask. When he checked me out, he still had his mask only over his mouth. I was not impressed. The rest of the store staff and customers were closely following mask-wearing and social distancing.

I spoke to the gentleman who does the trains at Tammy’s, he was correctly wearing his mask, and I told him about my new candle flicker LEDs that I purchased. He looked them up on the Internet and was thinking those could be useful for the train folks. Usually, a small electronic board is needed to get the same look–this would reduce the cost and complexity of a train layout. I was looking for tiny windows, but he could not find tiny windows for me but thought maybe the Z scale would work. These train guys have all the cool toys!

I then stopped by RiteAid and got my twice-daily inhaler prescription. As I read in the insurance changes for this year, my co-payment is now larger for inhalers as the insurance wants to discourage them (!?). But the $100.00 charge did surprise me. I have little to say about that here. I also got some milk and coffee.

Moving towards the morning, lunch was Pad Thai with shrimp from Ma-Now that was delivered by GrubHub (I typed GitHub originally, which is only funny to computer people). Susie was happy for Pop-tarts today. I had forgotten about them and thought it would be a treat, and it was.

I slept into 8ish today. I never do that. I am still recovering, as I said.

23,339 people in Oregon were vaccinated yesterday. The previous day’s totals are also better as it takes 72 hours to get all the counts and post them.

1,165 people died from the virus today in the USA. We are witnesses to their loss by stating the count here. I do not know these people, but their loss is felt.

Today’s song is sad, but it fits our loss of so many: No Man Is An Island.

I was able to sleep in a bit to 6:30ish and then started on my normal reading emails and dealing with anything that happened overnight or later on Tuesday. I had a few crises of the moment that I cleared and helped a few folks find their way, cat herding.

I then spent seven hours straight on apply and fixing a vendor patch. This is the patch (or OSS note for those who speak SAP) that continues to call in more and more patches until it becomes pages and pages. Then, of course, something circular references, and the fails happen. I tried to fight my way first and then decided to apply the note with all the errors and then back the whole thing out. This often leads to the computer version of bread crumbs that the reapplication can follow. I also applied and then accepted errors that were then fixed and then tried again. Finally, the patch was applied.

I ordered lunch while this was going on and vaguely remembering eating it. I ate bites so fast I had some issues. I had to stop and try to eat slower. Sadly I was rushing through delicious food from Gyro House today. I had a platter as I was not going to want a gyro while I am heads-down fixing and applying code and other changes.

Susie was up late today, and I got her coffee and water, and breakfast. I was rushing, but she was reading and watching her fav game shows. The Chase is quite good.

Of course, something broke from the patch. I found an object that got a syntax failure. No way to impress your SAP colleagues and Nike experts by leaving that in place! I found the missing patch because not only did the patch have a circular reference it was missing a prerequisite! The code managed to split over to fixes, so we will have to figure out how to combine the fixes. That can wait. Tonight India is testing.

I was a bit blurry after hours of applying and fixing and backing-up. I had my other monitor out so I could track changes on one screen while I applied them. I skipped all the status meetings today. I suspect they can manage without me.

I had one more alignment meeting at 4ish, and then after a few more crises of the moment, I stopped.

I did have another alignment that I attended at 8PM to work on the official practice conversion plan. The meeting was a new and possibly rather unique experience as they that scheduled the meeting set it to China hours and did not include anyone from China. We just got through it with a few smiles.

I made dinner of pan-fried burgers with cheese—frozen patties from Safeway. I made green beans (Schwann’s) in the microwave. I was a bit burned-out and kept everything simple. I did split a Duvel, Belgium beer, with Susie. Time for an adult beverage.

I also built a small proof-of-concept circuit for my new candle-flicker LEDs. They have so many applications in board games! The LED blinks and flashes like a candle without any hardware except a power source. I have special switches that, if you turn them over, turn off (no mercury) the circuit off. Little coin cells can power this. So exciting. I got out my wire wrapping stuff and have the test circuit done. I did not yell out, “It’s alive!” when it lighted and went out when turned over.

My gaming friend Richard has asked me to paint some figures for him for his games. I have already done some items for him. He had offered money, but I will just take some supplies. So back to painting. “Excellent,” in Mr. Burns’s voice.

I did assemble some of my terrain sets today. I also managed to get glue on my hand and nearly became one with my building matt. I was so excited to have something done, even with the excessive glue. It was not like band camp for those who know that movie.

17,914 people in Oregon received a vaccination yesterday. This number may increase as it takes 72 hours to post all the counts to the website.

I was happy to hear that Colorado is now vaccinating over 50 folks. Thanks, Peter Keller, for letting me know, and best wishes for a happy experience.

And it sad to say another 1,405 people in the US succumb to the virus today.

Lastly, I turned to this hymn and thought it is a good one for today: Help Us Accept Each Other.

Just a short story for today.

I started at 6ish as I had a 7:10 Zoom meeting with leadership here and India for our data conversions. I had trouble getting to sleep last night. The pain in my legs and joints was finally brought under control by some old-fashioned aspirin. I was tired, but I managed to start another workday.

I had status and alignment meetings all morning. Coffee helped, but I was not guzzling it at least. A bagel and banana to start also.

I experienced many crises of the moment that I was able to handle. The morning was a blur of email coming at me like I was driving on the autobahn going the wrong way–some form of controlled chaos that all you can do is try to not make a mistake. I survived this chaos finding a figurative off-ramp about noon and had lunch.

I ordered Chicken Tikka Massala from Biryani Corner delivered by GrubHub. It was actually not spicy. It helped me get through the day, remember all the cooking I have done, making this for more than a hundred people, and all my trips to India. Mine is better.

I had another two hours of Zoom meetings. Many included frustration as many folks send the next group the problems instead of accepting a solution that may mean more work, but it would be over. I try to practice my smile and wave at these moments.

I took a break as I was running down. I managed to get back around 5:30ish to apply a requested vendor fix (an OSS note to those who speak SAP) and put off another patch that is more of a journey until tomorrow morning. I don’t like to start those so late as it can easily turn into an all-night process.

After little thought, I decided to drive and pick-up Olive Garden. Kids-sized chicken alfredo for Susie and a Tour of Italy for me. I got a huge salad. That is the only reason I do Olive Garden. Well, then there is Tiramisu too.

I drove on the wonderful sunny day and then waited in the pick-up area in the cool breeze. I was 25 minutes early; who cares! I called them, and they came out and told me it would be a while, and I told them to take their time.

The manager brought out a bag of food. I drove hit home. I drove by my church, and the Pride flag is still on the building. Often Spring Break and Holy Week are times when someone takes the flag. We always assume positive intent–they needed the flag. I have a spare one ready. I buy them in pairs. When the last one is put up, I order new poles and flags. They keep needing the flags, so I keep supplying them.

I called Governor Brown’s office today, Oregon’s governor. I left feedback that I was unhappy with the declining rate of vaccination in the state. You just leave a recorded message.

Mrs. Wild (mom) is doing well after her Covid-19 vaccination yesterday.

10,845 people were vaccinated yesterday in Oregon. This is a low number and let us hope it is soon increased as the rest of the counts are applied to the total over the next 72 hours.

936 people are reported in the USA today to have died from Covid-19.

I picked one song I miss as this is really a group project: All The Saints.

Today I started just after 6ish and made coffee and said to myself, “Nope, this is not happening.” I then wrote an email that I was too ill to continue and performed all the rituals of being out suddenly for a day.

I got breakfast and made coffee, and got breakfast ready for Susie. She had her spa appointment with Zerida today. She was ready and was happy that I was still able to keep going to get her out. Her driver picked her up.

I spent most of the day sleeping and reading.

Today I finished and believed I would have to say goodbye to my favorite Inspector: The Cook of the Halcyon (An Inspector Montalbano Mystery Book 27). The author passed away last year, Andrea Camilleri. I believe I have read all 27 books. If you need a crime novel to relax, you could try Voice of the Violin (#4). There is one more being published after the author’s death; one more story with Montalbano.

I heard an interview of Charles M. Blow on the radio. He wrote a book that the Great Migration needs to be reversed. He wants black people to move back to the south. His book, The Devil You Know: A Black Manifesto, is now on my kindle, and I like his writing, he writes for the New York Times, and I like his directness. The book makes me want to move to Atlanta and help even as an old white guy! I recommend this book for its excellent writing and message.

I managed to get going again at 4ish in the afternoon. I am still tired, and the pain in all my limbs is something. I made bratwursts for dinner, baked for 50 minutes in a 350F oven. Set a timer for 35 minutes and flip and bake for 15 mins. These are from Whole Foods and are wonderful.

I made mac and cheese from a box to go with it.

I then played Roll20 Dungeons and Dragons and managed to stay focused on the game. I will not describe it as content for a purchased game, and spoilers would be required. Instead, I will say that the players were surprised and their plans went side-ways. We spent 45 minutes in one battle, and it felt close to the players. Their paladin took all the damage and knocked-out. They managed to finally defeat the boss just in time.

This part of the adventure used one of my favorite techniques, suspend some rules. This allows for a temporary increase in tension and requires the players to suddenly change tactics; hack-and-slash might not work and find another way to win. You cannot use this technique often in an adventure, but it can create some interesting possibilities when used with care. I once put everyone in a dream world in which I suspended death. I created a monster that was near impossible to kill. They kept dying but finally noticed certain behaviors and overcame it. Monsters as puzzles was now possible.

I am tired again, so I think I will stop there.

Mrs. Wild (mom) got her Covid-19 shot today!

14,422 people were vaccinated in Oregon yesterday.

Six hundred sixty-six people died today in the USA from the virus.

I picked Psalm 104 as we are nearing Passover.

Hi!

In the morning, I felt fine, but I became tired and nauseated as the day went on. Many folks are suggesting a delayed impact of the Covid-19 vaccination. I think it is the new blood pressure and other drugs. I am tired, but I am sharper than I was. It does make you wonder if you want to be a bit dulled and feel better or be more connected and feel unwell all the time. I am hopeful that I will get better soon. It could also be the hours I am working.

I was awake at 7 and then blinked, and it was beyond 10. I never wish to sleep beyond 9; the morning seems too short. I skipped food, which might be part of the cause of the issues later in the day, and had only one cup or so of coffee. Evan connected me, and we agreed to meet at Mox in Portland to play board games.

I brought Wingspan and Blood Rage and few others we did not get to.

The bartender, Charles, is a Dungeon and Dragon writer, like me, and even works for Roll20 to build and edit some of the content we use on our Monday games! I gave him my email and cell, and we will see if this will take us anywhere.

Returning to Mox, I ordered a beer, as did Evan, and I had an appetizer too–I had the tea sandwiches. We then started into Wingspan. This is an excellent game to learn, but it does take a while to understand all the mechanics–I have lost many games. The theme is you setting up a bird sanctuary by attracting birds to your set-up–represented by a board you use in the game. You also can use the birds’ abilities to get more resources, gain points by consuming cards and resources, and have events on even other player’s turns. For example, and a bit gruesome, when your Eagle catches and eats a bird, someone else’s vulture might get to gain a resource.

The game mechanics are fun, and once you get them down, you can then explore the birds and attract the best birds to get you the most points at the end of the game. For example, I am always happy getting a few owls and some grackles!

I just managed to win. It was a very close game. Evan had more valuable birds, huge ones, and I had smallish ones that gained resources, so I made up for it.

We then ordered lunch as we put away the game. The menu is still a bit sparse. It took us a bit.

I had a chicken buffalo sandwich, but nausea and exhaustion started, and I was even tired to eat. I only ate half the sandwich. I brought it back, and Corwin thought it good, except the chicken is ground and mixed with grains and reformed into a patty. He thinks it would be killer as a fried chicken breast instead. Evan liked his burger, duck, and bacon.

We brought out Blood Rage. This is a dudes-on-a-board game with resources management and combat. It is a Viking theme, with pillaging the main way to improve your resources. Cards are added to the game that allows you to upgrade your Vikings, improve your combat values, mess with other people in combat, have quests, call forth legendary monsters and powers, and call in mystics to aid your cause. The cards are attached to various Viking gods. For example, Evan used Loki’s powers by playing a card in combat to slip away some of my honor and add it to his if I won.

My version of the game has most of the bling as it was the full Kickstarter version. I have also painted every figure. I have six different tribes of fully painted Vikings; today, I played the women-only Snake tribe. This is one of my best paint jobs of the Viking clans. All the legendary monsters are also fully painted. It is one of my best-looking games.

We also used for the first time the 3D printed pillage tokens. I bought them online already printed but had to do a lot of work to make them usable. They worked well today, at least better than cardboard punch markers.

Evan started to get the hang of the game in the second and certainly in the third age. At the first age, you score no more than twenty points of honor. In the final age, I added sixty points to my score. The first age is mostly for practice and trying to be ready for the second age.

In the final age, I managed to deploy the dread frost giant. Only to have it sent to Valhalla by Evan a moment later. Lucky, I had a quest to kill lots of my Vikings and legendary creatures. Evan was quite willing to aid me on that quest and nearly cleared my Vikings from the board. I played the Odin upgrade to double my quest values, which helped me tie Evan for the final score. He has done more pillaging than me and nearly beat me.

I finished out at Mox with the cheesecake.

I drove home after saying goodby to the evening bartenders, Tatyana and Marlyn. They are now on the night team, and we were happy to see them–they were there with me before the first re-lockdown. Tayana is finding more gigs, and this is making her happy and helping her make her bills. She and Marlyn both feel that Portland is starting to recover. Everyone wants a shot to get this thing over!

I got home feeling much worse. I made Susie scrambled eggs with cheddar, her fav. We have brown eggs, they were cheaper at Whole Foods, and they have a deep orange-colored yoke. Susie said the eggs were good.

I then went back to work after resting for a bit. I skipped dinner as I am still not thinking food is something I want. Our 9:30AM India time meeting fell off our calendars (9PM PDT), but I spoke to our expert there, Archana, and she is working on getting the project going. I will not share the details, but we are both happy to see some progress. I will be back online for the shoe company for India evening and Beaverton Morning 6-7ish.

14,149 people received vaccinations yesterday in Oregon. This number will likely increase as it takes three days to get all the counts and update the website.

Four-hundred fifty-five people were lost to the virus today in the USA.

It is soon the second Passover and Easter of lockdown. I went with a Hebrew singing of Psalm 121 as it is a Psalm of Ascents. These are specially called out as a group in the Hebrew, and some have suggested they would be sung as you approach the Temple in Jerusalem. I read them as I was headed, on a tour bus, to the temple mount in Israel in 1990. I recommend reading them in numeric order if you want a little inspiration for these shared religious events.