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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.

Today started with grocery delivery from Safeway. I needed cake flour to make a cake today. Corwin’s birthday is today, and he asked for anything other than a yellow cake.

I was up before eight this morning to get the groceries. I nearly slept through the delivery last time, so I set the alarm to get me up. I woke before the alarm and was up with plenty of time. I put away the groceries and put the butter out to soften for the cake.

I had setup 18Chesapeake last night before heading to bed. I wanted to try it out again after the groceries were delivered. Slip it in before everyone woke up.

I managed to re-read the rules and found most of what I did wrong and learned how to run the stock market simulator and the operational round with more confidence. I did not have to return to the rules as much as the first dry-run. This is not a solo capable game, so I played two players.

The game flow was better. It looked quick interesting as you spend the stock phase running your wealth and ownership. In the operational phase, you run the floated train companies with paying dividends or not and driving the stock price up or down. I still had problems understand what a “route” is and why you cannot run it twice and the restrictions on different routes. I will have to read some more and maybe watch some videos as I am now getting too specific issues. I was happy with my improvements and put it away–I have a cake to make!

I managed to make Corwin a Chocolate Torte for his birthday. I have never made one before. I have a wonderful cookbook, The Cake Bible, that I use for baking. I followed the recipe “Perfect All-American Chocolate Torte” to make the dessert. Corwin and Susie liked it.

We used the fun lotus candle and Susie sang.

I also tried to make some Orange Chiffon Cupcakes, and they are best to be forgotten.

Dinner was from Wild Buffalo Wings, and one order had no sauce. We are not sure if it was them or us. We will be more careful next time. Corwin wanted WBW for his birthday.

Mom, Barb Wild, is still in the hospital. They are again running labs and trying to work out what to do. My sister, Linda Wild, is helping where she can.

I have to work tonight to finish an upgrade. It is already Tuesday in India.

I will have to make this short.

Reports today count over five-hundred deaths from the virus today on Memorial Day 2020. It is Memorial Day 2020 and so we will go with Taps.