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It has rained and thundered today. Not the typical Oregon mist but full-on rain with lightning and thunder!

The riots are happening all over the country. People are split about them. I hear that the rioters are no better than criminals or worse terrorists. With the later being available to shoot down. Others remind us what MLK said more than fifty years ago: “In the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?” For me, I try to hear and to understand and not add to the anger.

I started the morning late as I was tired. I am working as needed all day and night for Nike. We are trying to write an emergency conversion program that normally takes a week in 48 hours. We are all on-line working, of course, remotely and using Microsoft Teams to connect along with email and Zoom meetings. It is a nearly dizzying mix of technology and desperation. In other words, routine computer software development work!

We stopped to watch the Falcon 9 launch the US crew into space.

This is a NASA photo (credits: NASA/Bill Ingalls).

I have been online all day and checking in with the developers and tried to help where I can. I just put in some code for them a few minutes ago. This makes this update late.

I did slip out to pick-up my order from the local gaming store, Rainy Day Games. Their online store was sort of working–my order duplicated and they had to cancel a spare game for me. It was so nice to see them all, masked, but we all know each other. One of them runs the local gaming convention, Game Storm. Another is a serious gamer and painter–we share painting advice and gaming suggestions. I bought the game Never Bring A Knife as it was on special. I got to be one of four people allowed in the store at a time. Social distancing being maintained at all times. So great to see these folks after three months!

I then ordered pizza from Papa Murphy’s (the take and bake place we have here in Oregon) using their phone app in Rainy Day Games’ parking lot sitting in my car. While I waited for the app to tell me the pizza was ready for pick-up, I read the rules of Never Bring A Knife. It has a minimum of four players to play and can play eight. It is another social deduction styled game simpler than Secret Hitler without the historical baggage and awful name. You are either a cop or a hardened criminal. You try to make the other side lose the game by dropping someone on the other side with guns and putting hits on them. But others can heal or block the person you hit, and then they may easily deduce that you are on the other side. The lead will then fly in your direction. It looks like fun!

With the rain and me working online all day, it was a good day for musicals. Susie watched “Rocket Man” first. I stepped in here and there to watch most of it–Elton John’s songs are so well done in the film–I stopped everything and sat and watched and listened. This was followed by “Rock of Ages,” which is set in 1987 in California. I graduated from college in 1986 and headed out to Washington DC and Maryland in 1987 to find work, so it has some appeal to me. I was going into software, not Rock and Roll, but the late 80s is well remembered by me. I like the music and the goofy acting and story.

A relaxing night with pizza and coding when needed at the shoe company.

During the movies, I made pizza.

I finished the re-write of my Howard story, “Howard in Amsterdam.” The finish for the first will be uploading to Grammarly and fix missed grammar items and then a final re-reading. Getting to the final editing of my previous story allows me finally to begin my newest story, “Howard’s Lockdown.” I have been thinking about what would happen to Howard in our lockdown. Time to write that story!

Reports have just over one-thousand people losing their lives to the virus today in the USA. Portland police report arresting thirty-one people tonight, and there are reports of tear gas possible use tonight. I found this song for today–something I found by accident: Let My Prayer Rise Up (Suba Mi Oracion).

On Monday Washington Country is leaving lockdown to enter Phase I of re-opening. Susie has a hair appointment (and other items) on Tuesday now with Zerida. Her driver will be picking her up. I have a hair-cut planned for Friday at 2:15, I am beginning to look the part of the mad scientist. I might drive to Portland on Friday and attend a board game. Yipee!

Work was full of Zoom conferences to discuss our deliverables. We are working, again, another weekend to deliver the project. Our delivery date, Sunday, is set by the head of IT at Nike. Today we delivered the first two significant items and all the more manageable parts. The delivery requires an actual demonstration of the software and sign-off by that we delivered to the requirements. It was a bit stressful day for our software writers! Unfortunately, the last major piece needs a re-write that we started today. The vendor software failed to deliver, so we are back to writing it. We have a demo planned, even as we write it, on Sunday. Thus I will be helping all weekend.

Usually, Friday is a half-day as Nike closes at noon. I did have meetings in the afternoon. Next weekend should be less complicated.

I noticed that our local German styled restaurant, Bargarten, had a website now and was offering pick-up orders. We ordered a growler of beer and sausage dinner for four for pick-up. I called them to make sure they wanted us to bring a growler, no–that is no longer allowed with the virus restrictions, and this was all new to them. We opened Bargarten! We are the first order. They are getting ready to open for seating on Monday, June 1st when Washington County opens, and so they were doing pick-up orders now. They, in masks, were happy to hand over the food and beer. The food and the apple strudel was lovely. The beer was even better!

I am happy to help re-launch Washington County a bit early with beer and sausages.

The book I ordered showed today, Mindset. This is the book the CEO of Microsoft, Satya Narayana Nadella, used to better define the culture he wants at Microsoft. I am reading it.

I am also reading the next Maise Dobbs novel. I like crime-mystery books set in the 1930s. I recommend her stories. 

With all the chaos in the country, I did what I can do. I donated to the NAACP and to our local mosque. I cannot solve injustice, but I can make it clear that I am for justice. 

The stock market went up and down. The head of The Fed took questions from the Internet on Bloomberg today and he stated that The Fed has kept it “powder dry” and can react to further events if needed. The president attacked China in a speech. The experts are beginning to talk that the market is already beyond the bottom and maybe in entering a bull market. The president suggested shooting down people. It was a strange news day.

Today the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 again the Oregon constitution that someone can be convicted 10 out of 12 by a jury. The ruling overturned a previous ruling in 1972 that confirmed this type of conviction. I was on a jury that convicted a very bad dude with 10 out of 12. I am saddened that we did not work to get unanimity in our jury, as we would have likely done that or have dead-locked, a better outcome. I read in the Court’s opinion and it is supported by conservative and liberal justices including the notorious RBG. I agree with it and am sorry to be involved in what apparently was an injustice. The ruling also brings an end to the concept that the 14th amendment does allow state laws to trump federal law in certain cases. States may not reduce their citizen’s rights that are granted in the Federal Constitution, in this case, the 6th amendment in the Bill of Rights (right to a trial).

Dinner was more beer and more German-style food.

The death rate in the USA for today is reported at about the same number as yesterday, just over one-thousand, two-hundred. I opened the Methodist Hymnal I have at the house, and it turned to page #476 Lonely the Boat, and I found only one version from a choir on YouTube. Enjoy!

Again, 5:30AM came too soon. I awoke with a toothache and asthma. I have a problem with my bite that is moving my teeth wrong. The dentist tried to fix it last time. I just need to be more gentle until it settles. Aspirin reduces swelling and got the pain under control. Inhalants reduced breathing issues.

Today was another working at home day–like usual. I handled email and a crisis of the moment a couple of times. We had a department Zoom meeting lead by the Chief Operating Officer, Andy Campion, at 7:30AM. The emergency was most of the discussion from Nike leadership. They wanted us to know that we have a plan and what the outline of it is. Then the CEO of Microsoft, Satya Narayana Nadella, was the special guest and he spoke about how he believes in growth for people and for Microsoft. Satya Nadella is a very dynamic speaker and came from an engineering background making him very popular with us. He recommended a book Mindset–his vision of the culture he wants for Microsoft is embodied in the book (clearly he suggests the same guidance for Nike). I ordered a paperback copy to be delivered during the meeting. It was strangely cheaper in the new paperback form than the Kindle version! It was a good meeting.

I continued in the morning with more meetings, emails, and a few crisis of the moment.

Lunch again was reheated Chinese food.

I took most of my afternoon meetings in Zoom on the deck. It was a wonderful day. The other people on the meeting stayed inside–I am not sure why. It was 89F today, but a nice breeze took the edge off the heat.

We had to start the AC today, again.

Susie was up late afternoon. She had a late breakfast. I took her for a drive and picked up some prescription and then got some tacos from Taco Bell for me for dinner (everyone else had just eaten a late lunch). This was my first time at Taco Bell in six months. The food was exactly the same as the last time I was there. The facemask, shields, touchless pay, and the food placed in a tray were aligned to the times.

Corwin made dinner for him, Evan, and Susie later: Pasta, cream sauce, chicken, and bacon.

My friend Richard, one of my Portland gaming connections, texted me to ask if I was ready to return to gaming. Sadly, I turned him down. I am not prepared to risk trips to Portland–I am not sure that Portland and Washinton country are ready to leave lockdown. Richard, let me know that I am missed. I miss playing Fridays to late and driving home from Portland. I love to drive my XC60 Volvo!

We got out Killer Bunnies. Evan got the magic carrot after most bunnies were lost to an asteroid impact. This is Susie’s favorite game. Always fun to get another play of this simple and funny game.

We then played Skull. Corwin and I both won one game. Skull is a bidding and bluffing game that is highly recommended by Will, who I lose a lot of games too. I keep a copy of the game in the car at his suggestion. It is small and easy to learn.

The stock market went up and then the President signed an executive order to try to end social media and the market tanked.

Over one-thousand, two-hundred people died today in the USA from the virus according to the reports. Today’s hymn is not known to me: O Splendor Of God’s Glory Bright – Zac Hicks + Cherry Creek Worship.

It was a hot sunny it-can-be-Oregon-in-May day. May is usually cold and damp. I just turned on the AC as the house reaches 77.

I was back to working from home. We had a crisis of the moment or two. Hours and hours of video conferences. Follow-ups at 8PM.

The stock market and specifically Nike stock went up. The White House then decided to declare Hong Kong no longer receiving special trade conditions as it was now just like the rest of China, and that managed to dampen the Market’s enthusiasm. China’s spokesperson, of course, said that Hong Kong is still special, and the USA should keep Hong Kong’s special status. I am still headed to break even by June on my 401K. Nike stock is just below 100. This all despite the eye-rolling-causing statements from the White House and China.

Susie is better today. The bright light and warm weather seem to be helping. She ate her dinner outside on the deck. She rode her bike.

Lunch was reheated Chinese food (the irony is not lost on me). My fortune cookie said that my decisions tomorrow will be correct. I am so far agreeing.

It was a lovely day, so I took some photos of my roses.

It was a simple day. I did get some writing and reading done today.

Dinner, as it was National Burger Day, was burgers from BJ Brewhouse and potato skins (no green onions) for Susie.

Today’s report for the USA of more than one-thousand five-hundred dead from the virus was as much as the last two days combined. The infection rate also increased. I think I have done this one before, but I like this version: Standing on the Promises of God.

Last night after writing the blog, I discovered my work mailbox was full of notices of people taking off Tuesday, and meetings are postponed because they could not be held on Tuesday as the participants were unavailable. I then took Tuesday off.

Now that really means just not signing into my work laptop for a day. And that is what I did, or really not do today. I just started slow and stayed at that speed most of the day. I did watch 18xx how-to-play youtube videos and believe I would like the games and will get my first “beginner” version, 18Chesapeake, on the game table once we can game again. This game presents me with the rather unique play of buying the stock of companies run by people who are good at train stuff or understand the game while driving my companies into the ground.

Lunch was just soup for me, and I did get dressed late. Susie was up before I was dressed today!

I also did some writing today. I am trying to finish my short story of my hero Howard in Amsterdam. I write a story about Howard after or when I travel. We went to Amsterdam for the Christmas Holiday. We also left on December 28th, which is the day the scientist believe that the virus reached Europe. We just missed it!

I write the Howard story in a stream of a consciousness-like process that gets down the events and some of the pure ironies I like in the Howard stories. I also like to write with a stilted style of 1920s horror author for some of it. I then rework the original to adjust the story and make it logical. After that, I upload it into Grammarly and suffer the insults of having all my grammar fixed. I take that and rework it again, trying to ma,ke (Grammarly put the comma there–it has an issue with its editor once in a while) it flow from one sentence to the next. I often find more color to add that I just hinted at in my first writing. Then there are the wording issues that Grammarly missed (growling at the software when I find them) that I try to fix. Back into Grammarly and the last fixes. Then it is done for the moment. I usually put it away for a few weeks and read it again and just can’t believe it when I find mangled sentences. Then it is finally done.

My muse for writing is Constance Hale and her book Sin and Syntax. It is the book that started me on losing my fear of writing. I recommend it.

I worked last night for about three hours until late last night on a software upgrade. I drank tea to help me keep my focus. We managed to finish the work, but sleep was then impossible. I have my usual migraine from lack of sleep and my asthma woke me gasping a bit. Sucks! Inhalants, caffeine, and painkillers have me better, but I am struggling today-tonight.

I ordered Chinese food to be delivered for dinner. I ordered too much. I know what is for lunch on Wednesday! It is from our local folks at Stir Crazy Kitchen.

So I have been going slow. I am reading a lot today. I have found a 1930s English detective I am enjoying: Maisie Dobbs. The settings fit my writing of Horror adventures which are often set in 1930s Europe, and the focus on surviving the aftermath of The Great War mixed with some mysticism keeps me interested. I have trouble putting it down.

The stock market went up today and then back away from the highs when the White House made rumblings about China.  Experts were also suggesting that it was too soon to enter the recovery on Bloomberg. I watch Bloomberg for a few minutes for The Close report. My 401K loss for the year has reversed by another percent, now -4.6%. A few more good days without the White House and I should break even by June!

I called the brokers and experts at my 401K holding company, Fidelity. I was checking on my retirement options. I can withdraw from my 401K after leaving my employment without penalty at my age, but it must be the whole amount. As tempting as just taking all the money as cash, 30% withheld for taxes, and all of it treated as income in the year (goodbye 40%) I will not being doing the “party now” plan. More to follow.

My song for today is Wake me Up. “Wake me up when this is all over when I am older and wiser” appeals to me today.

My mother, Barb Wild, is home. As she tells the story, she is lucky to have escaped the hospital. It seems that she enjoyed an army of doctors that wanted to test her for everything. Barb Wild is happy to home. My sister cleaned her house and did her laundry while Bard was in the hospital. Mom is so thankful for that!

The reports I have read show the United States counted today more than seven-hundred deaths from the virus. These rates have slipped to the values reported in March in the USA. The infection rate reported in the USA is nearly unchanged for the last few days. I found this today, and I have been looking for a good version for some time: We Shall Over Come.