Killing Time

 Today actually went by pretty quickly for me. After sitting for an hour (on the clock - bonus) waiting for the Team Leads to get stuff together and distributed out so we could get on with work, I finally got started. Then we were told to stop, and do it another way, which made more sense to me anyways, and I had questioned it earlier. Either way the team got through all of those parts today, and now I have like thirty minutes til my 8 hours are in, with no work, and no one answering my inquiry as to what they would like me to do now. Our Project Lead is in NY, so he may have already finished for the day, and that sort of leaves us hanging. Free money while sitting here.

I have a good friend that leaves out SW of my area of town, that is coming up this way this evening. So I will be headed out here soo to meet up with him. It will be good to catch up as it has been a couple months or more.

The Wife was tired a couple days after getting her first vaccine shot. Today she admitted the shot site is still a little sore, but not as tired today. Thankfully worse symptoms have not appeared.

Guess I should get back to Teams and see if they acknowledged me yet... if not, time to log off for the day.  

PeacE

Caught up?

 I slept decently last night. Went to bed at a decent hour, and though I woke several times through the night I was able to roll over and go back to sleep. Until just before 6AM. That is when the Wife's alarm went off. Huh? Why is she getting up so early? Turns out the workers are to be here star work on replacing the neighboring fence from wood panels to concrete block. Oh joy.

Yesterday afternoon another work email went out that they are still needing anyone that can to help finish up the project. I don't know if that refers to this morning, but will be finding out soon when I log in. I hope they are finished. I want to move on to something new.

PeacE

The Early Morning Ramblings

 Welcome to 2:30 AM and the state of wakefulness I am experiencing. I laid down for the night around 10PM, but by almost 1:30AM I knew there was not going to be any sleeping soon for me. I have spent most of the last hour going through YouTube and watching movie trailers that have been posted in the last week. I keep a notebook (actually, a few of them) around my computer for me to make notes on stuff. One for books, their release dates, movies I want to see, even songs I come across I like and want to add to my Spotify list(s). Of course, I have another notebook just for websites and the log-ins and passwords. So many sites require a "certain number of digits, consisting of a capital letter, a number, and another type of character" that I cannot remember all of them anymore. Things were much easier when I could use one email/password combo for sites I don't care if they were hacked, and another combo for important things. Those days are long past. Lastly, I have a notebook, literally, for notes. Usually jottings on how to do a feature in Excel for work, or a quick reminder for me to check something later that day. If any notes get jotted there, and are important, they become post-its to be added to wherever I need to add them. Am I wasting paper? I don't care. 

This last week for work has been a pretty exhausting one. Seems like each day I was learning a new part of what they want Quality Control to do (at least to this project). I hope this is not a regular thing, as it is nothing like what I did when I first moved into this QC stuff. Either way, it is good to learn this stuff. I get more pay per hour, as it 'levels' up the pay-grade for this type of work. Supposedly, the project was to have ended Wednesday, but Friday they were still working on it late into the night. Saturday I did get an email stating they need anyone that can help to work on Sunday still to try to finish it up. I don't think I will be helping. I want to, and it would help make me look better to the higher-ups that I am willing to go further for the company ... but being up this late, and who knows how long before I will get tired, it would not be beneficial to try to work on sensitive stuff whilst trying to stay awake. So I hope tomorrow (later today) there will be an email stating the project finally finished, as they have already said there is another lined up for us to transfer.

Let's clear some air (for RM) ... Yes, the comment about Tuesday being Doodad's bday and that I said my parents made me think that is because it is true. Whatever day I had come by last, we kinda mentioned it coming up, and  PT said it was two days before his. Off the top of my head, that sounded about right, so I went with it. Okay, so it's three days before his... at least you wrote it down. I don't mess with calendars anymore. Even ones on my phone.

Thinking I am starting to get over this cold I had gotten awhile back. It had been like a head cold for a few days, then just a sinus infection, then it started to try to drop down into the chest. I started a Vick's chest rub throughout they day for the past few days, and I think it is finally reaching the end stages. Probably would have gone faster if I didn't smoke... but oh well. I've cut back pretty good since working from home. As long as I don't go to the pub, I don't smoke near as much as I used to.

RM has mentioned that she recently got her second shot of the Covid vaccine (Friday I think it was). The Wife has mentioned she has the first one for her scheduled sometime here soon. I hope it is free as we don't currently have insurance. I have not placed any thought about getting it myself. I think I tend to lean with RM's thinking, of why do I need this? Everything I hear about anything Covid related is just fluff and dander to me - meaning, I can't believe any particular thing, because there is some other source out there that says the opposite. What/Who is considered correct and worthy of trusting the information? I know I can't figure it out, so I go with what I think. The Wife tested positive for Covid last year, and was advised to 'self-quarantine the family' for 14 days (which we did). Myself and the two younger boys never came down with being sick like the Wife had, and so never got tested either way. This head cold has been pretty much the only time I have been sick since this whole thing started (except for upset tummy every now and then). Am I immune? Have I just not been fully/properly introduced to it (even though the Wife had tested positive)? I don't know. I just have no desire to do a two-shot of a vaccine that I may not necessarily mean. Then I also read today, that AZ Health officials are okaying the us e of the J&J one-shot vaccine even though the issue about a "rare blood clot" chance. Would I want to roll my dice on that one either? Heck no!

Don't feel much like writing about anything else about now, even though I got plenty of time. Not sire if I am going to go to Netflix and watch some shows, or play some Warcraft. I know I ain't feeling tired enough to lay down yet. Wish me some luck.

PeacE

Mind Mush

 That is what is between my ears currently. After working part of the day Saturday, and Sunday, for work, Then continuing on into the regular work week.... My mind is just worn out today. Supposedly this project is to end tomorrow.. However, it looks like there is still at least a couple days of work in the QC area I am working in currently. So I have no clue if they got an extension... or what. Guess I'll find out as it happens.

Yesterday was actually Doodad's bday. My parents had gotten me to thinking it was today... and I should have known better. I'm a bad Papaw. But we did get to video chat with her and the Daughter for quite awhile last night at least.

I'm off to go find something to do that doesn't require thinking.

PeacE

Wasting a Weekend

 Friday's work day ended up with me 'volunteering' to work this weekend. I wish it were at O/T pay, but it isn't. Since it was Tuesday before I was placed on the project, I had hours that could be completed to get me near the 40/week. I opted for about 4 hours on Saturday, and another 6 for Sunday. Then I went out with friends. That didn't end well. Got home late that night, couldn't sleep, and ended up awake until about 6:30 that morning. I was able to get an hours nap in before getting up to work. Two hours in though I was having problems keeping myself awake, and excused myself from work. Then crashed. Slept until about 4 - picked up pizza for dinner - and back in bed by 8pm. This morning finds me awake before the alarm goes off, and now am just killing time before starting work. Six hours of it, unless we finish this portion of thee project. Friday they did say the deadline is close, which is why they asked for weekend hours. I'm sure there are a few lucky ones getting O/T pay - just not me.

With the deadline close on this project, I am sure I will be off work again for a few days at some point this week.

Doodad's bday is Tuesday. We won't be able to go down for the day, but they did not have any big "party" plans either way. I guess they are "stuck" at home until early May, due to obligations, but expect to try to make it up to here around then. I think I have no choice but to hold out until then, to see my lil one. She turns 4 this year.

Guess I should go read through my usuals this morning before work ....

PeacE

Feeling Good - Well, Better, Anyways

 I've been up all of  minutes this morning, and I am waiting to find out how I am feeling, health-wise, today. Why do I have to wait? Am I not able to tell from the *snap, crackle, pop* of getting out of bed for morning absolutions? Sometimes yes, most times no. I wear a CPAP at night to help with my apnea, and when it comes to my allergies, or anything sinus related, I have to wait sometimes up to an hour afterward removing the CPAP to find out how I am going to be. The CPAP just makes breathing so much easier, with the cleaner air (filter). So far, it feels like maybe the sinuses have finished that final "running" from the head cold. I am sure I will know soon.

As I stated yesterday, I did get a new project for work. It is supposed to last only a handful of days, but I started in on this one at a higher pay grade (bonus). I do not know if I will proceed to a more detailed position for this project after this stage, but have the qualifications for it at least. If not, it will be off to another one. This week with a bit of a later start, I can work as many hours as needed (daily) as I won't hit the 40 hours/week (bonus). Plus, the operation hours for this one are based on Eastern time, so I can start as early as I want (bonus).

Doodad's birthday is coming up next week, and I just haven't found her a special 'Papaw gift'. The Wife found a wonderful idea for not only her birthday, but Mother's Day for the Daughter, and Father's Day for the SIL. I was thrilled about that, so at least we have a back-up, as well as the forty-three thousand other things we bought her (exaggerating, just a little). I remember the In-Laws, and my own parents showering our first with gifts upon gifts, as for both sides, it was like the first grandchild.

Anyways, seems I am still having some nasal drainage (great to hear about from someone else first thing in your day, right?) and it is making me cough a little. guess another day of OTC cold pills to help. Off to start the work day! 

PeacE

...and then there was this loud *crash* sound!

 That will be me ... in probably a few short hours. I'm like 95% over this head cold, but could not sleep at all this evening...and now it nears 4:30AM. I'm going to try again for a couple hours, but who knows. Either way, I need to be up and working by 9, as I just got picked up on a project. Three hours of sleep? If I'm lucky? Oh JOY!

I have got thoughts for tomorrow, if I don't sleep through today.

PeacE

I'm Still Messed Up (That's What She Said)

 It is around the midnight hour between Monday and Tuesday. I wish I could say I was getting paid to burn the oil this late at night, but I'm not. And it only benefits me. For the past hour and more, I have been listening to Spotify music. Mostly going through "recommended" songs based on others I have liked and included into playlists. Found some more I liked. Some more I didn't care for. But it just helps put more into my listening while working playlist.

I am feeling better, somewhat. Still feeling the weak and achy body. Headache was gone this morning, and at this time of night, I may have gotten rid of the sinus pressure as well. Eyes are still watery, causing the nose to be a bit runny, but the majority of sneezing seems to be over. At least I am hoping that is the case, and not the OTC meds knocking out the symptoms, which will show up by morning (whether I get sleep or not). 

Other than my health, nothing new to share about anything much. Between napping and feeling sick, I haven't been experiencing much of life.

PeacE

Covid is Making a Comeback!

 Get your masks back out! Get ready for Quarantine again! Release the Media, the Leftists, and the Liberals into making unconstitutional laws to control the masses! Release vaccines that have not gone through proper testing procedures that our own Government has set up! Socialism! Marxism! Media Control! Sheeple Need to be Told What to Do!

Not really. I have a head cold. It started yesterday, waking up around 3 AM, I felt some headache pressure, and some nausea. I thought maybe just a bit dehydrated, drank some water, returned to bed. Woke again around 9 AM and that cold was full-blown. You got it: stuffy nose, sinus pressure headache, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, drainage down the throat, body aches and pains. I managed to stay awake until almost noon, ate some lunch, felt nauseous again, went back to bed. It was pretty much a  repeat for supper. Because of so much napping, it was hard to get to sleep late last night, but finally got a few hours in after midnight. I did take some OTC night-time stuff last night, and started this morning with day-time stuff. I am feeling a smidgen better, and have hopes that as the day progresses, this cold will leave.

Kinda glad I have not started a new project. I am sure many will agree it is no fun trying to work with a cold. It would be hard to keep my attention where it needed to be, especially with the watering eyes, etc. Though, I do hope I hear some contact today to start something in the next couple of days.

PeacE

Biding Time

 Geez. A whole week went by, and nothing exciting happened. Work did contact me one night about a special short-term project, and I responded I was available the next day, not at 4:30 in the afternoon (I was out at the bar). They never contacted back, so either they finished it, or I wasn't needed. So, still here waiting the next project.

Spent some time on Warcraft this past week. Leveling up characters, getting better gear for others. Wasting time pretty much. Thought several times of watching Netflix stuff, but just haven't been in the mood.

Hung out for a short bit with my Brother at the VFW last night. They had some karaoke, so I did one song. He is trying to talk me into becoming an auxiliary member (Non-Service status) which is like $250 for lifetime membership. True, drinks are cheaper there, though it is a bit farther than my regular hangout. Supposedly I wouldn't HAVE to volunteer for anything, or serve time on projects the VFW does. I dunno. Tomorrow they are having a "Family Day" at the VFW post, and he invited me to it as well. No way would my 15 yr old go, and why would I? Oh, because the bar is open, and drinks are cheaper. Supposedly it starts at 10am, so have no clue if I will go or not.

Believe it or not, I have to gotten into the Turtle Pie that RM sent home just before Easter. Actually, I just remembered I put it in the freezer. I may have to set it out so I can have some after dinner. The excitement in my life....

PeacE

Floating on the River

 Out here in the desert, we have a place called Salt River Recreation, located out near one of the Indian reservations just over on the east side of the Valley. It allows you to rent out inner tubes, them provides travel by bus t/from different stops along the Salt River. This is always a big hit in the 100+ degree summers here. I have gone a few times, usually ending up burnt like a lobster (thank you Irish heritage for fair skin) but always had fun. The floating part is fun, with a few "rapids" here and there to keep it moving. 

Currently, my job is sort of feeling that way. Friday I was told to log out earlier in the afternoon. Supposedly there wasn't much left for QC to go over, and we had reached our end in the project. I will be login in this morning to verify we are done, but then I am afloat again. Just waiting until the next project I get selected for, to come along. Work is like the rapids - it comes along and I am busy, then goes away and I just float.

There are lots of things to do when I am not busy with work. One of recent note is the backyard. The neighbor and us had decide to split the cost of putting a cement block fence between our yards. Beats the old wooden plank fencing, that is seriously falling apart and needs replacing. In fact, part of it is being held up by some twine and strategic tying onto other things. Neighbor had found a company, and our half of the price is good. We need to move things at least 4 feet from he fence-line though. There were a couple stacks of 'shelved' wood pieces (from back when In-Laws lived here) that we moved. One of the things is a miniature log cabin. One of the BILs had brought the material down, and built this in the back for the grandkids to play in. Big enough you could fit maybe three 6 year olds in it, with a small door and window. But it sits against the fence. It has been in place many years, and personally, I'm all for trashing it. Of course, the Wife doesn't want to. So how to move it? Dismantle, then re-build it after the fence is up? Will it dismantle easily, or fall apart because the weathered wood? I am nervous to find out, and think I may just wait for the Wife to start taking it apart. then see if it breaks or not.

Almost time for me to log in and check on work status. 

With the switch in car insurance companies, this new one has an added discount if we put their app on our phones for 90 days. We are talking about around a $150 discount. Everyone is pushing back on me. The idea of being monitored by 'Big Brother' has everyone in a hissy. I loaded the app the other day, and took a drive. I sped. Seriously, I drove about 5-10 mph over the posted speed. When I reached my destination, I checked the app, confirmed it was me driving, and got a 'great' rating. On the way home, I did a 'hard brake' as I came up to a red light - on purpose. Again, once I confirmed my trip, I got an 'okay' rating. What's so bad about having this for 90 days to save $150?? They have a limited time to get the app onto their phones to get the discount. Guess I will be hounding them about it. Overall, I think it would force them all to drive a bit safer - and in my opinion, all of them could use it. But then, I have been told countless times that I drive like "an old man". Is that bad?

Welp, I guess I should get the inner tube and make sure it is inflated to a proper level to support me. As you can figure, a guy my size, I have one of the tubes from a Caterpillar truck to use- LOL!

PeacE

Breakfast in Bed (Almost)

 The middle Son showed up this morning, with breakfast. The Wife and I were still asleep, after all, it was 6 AM on a Saturday. My alarm was set to go off in 30 minutes, so I just went ahead and got up. Sausage, egg mcmuffins from McDs isn't bad for breakfast, especially when the Son paid for it. He is tired from a long night of working, but still was able to come over this morning to help us out with some stuff.  Plus I needed to get some new car insurance info to him and his roomie, the oldest Son.

Still no plans for Easter weekend. I will probably end up at the pub this evening for a little while. The Wife hasn't said anything about tomorrow, so I assume she will attend church, and I will sleep in.

Finished up the work project Friday afternoon, so it looks like I am in the waiting stage for the next one. hope they don't take as long as they have on the past couple, in regards to getting it started and getting the recruits. I also hope it is a longer project, and that they move me into QC again. The money is always nice, and the extra time on a project just prevents less idle time for me.

PeacE

Good Fridays

 When one works a Monday-Friday job, what Friday isn't a good one? Either way, today is Good Friday, you know, the one before Easter. What do I have planned? Working. But not sure for how long. Stage one of the current project reached completion last night. But since I was 'moved up' to QC, I am sure there is still some work to do. I'm just not sure how much. In which case, after today, or a few hours, I may have reached the end stage of my involvement with this project, and will sit back to await the next one to come. Hopefully it will be the first part of next week, but I don't know. The last couple took over a week to get started.

No plans for Easter. I am sure of the two older Sons, one will have to work, and the other will be sleeping as he has to work Saturday night. I don't believe the Daughter and SIL are planning to be in town this weekend. RM did send home a pie last night for us though! Speaking of RM, I swung by there last night to pick up something for a friend. We got a chance to catch up a little on goings on, though I felt I spoke more than they did.

Not much to say today. Working on getting car insurance switched to a cheaper policy (always fun - thank goodness I have a good agent). Will have to have the boys overs to get their updated info cards until the agent mails them a copy.

PeacE