And a week Later, How NOT to Stay Busy

 Yep. Been a week of me not being busy, even after I wrote a post about how I was going to be busy. Lies. Fractals of truth I chased that never came together to do anything.

Still waiting to hear about the "next project" the company may have for me. I admit though, with leaving to ND in less than 10 days, I could care less, today. I'll care more once I get back.

That leaves lots of idle time for me. More drinking of beer. More online gaming. More time with the Wife (she may not like that one as much).

Not much else to say. Going to my buddy J's for the 4th. I'm bringing deviled eggs. Never done 'em before, so I asked the Daughter for her recipe regarding the yolks... and I asked RM. The Daughter sent me back this recipe that had all sorts of specific "juice of this", "spice of that" I was like... what? This evening I saw the text RM sent me, and her recipe is more my style.... bit of this, some of that, lil dis, lil dat... taste it, add more of whatever it is missing. RM seemed to take offense, when I replied back I was going to look at a couple internet recipes, just to get a clear idea since her's and my Daughter's recipes were so varied. Oh well. I'm still bringing deviled eggs to the party on the 4th, even if no one likes them.

Wife is taking Middle Son to the Mercury (womens NBA) game tomorrow. The Suns play in LA for game 6. Be nice if they won, but after the game the other night, who knows. It's basketball, I don't care.

PeacE

How to Stay Busy ....

 Summer is officially here, and Arizona has went from a simmering heat to full broiler mode. Last week had brought in some of the hottest temperatures we have had yet this year, one even breaking a heat record at least one day. This week has been much the same, as will most weeks between now and October. Though, August-September for about 30 days, they call it Monsoon season, and the humidity rises like 10% and we sweat more - but rarely rains comes. At least the past couple years have been that way. We get those cool opportunities to get the big Dust Haboob pics to show on news reports across the country though!

Still waiting to hear about any work project, The days are starting to run together, as yesterday, I turned to the Youngest Son and asked what day it was. I seriously thought it was Thursday. Then I noticed it was like 12:15pm, and thought - only? It feels like 6pm. I must be too idle or something.

Wow. That's all I got.

PeacE

Next Up: Labor Day Explosion!!

 Yesterday was a nice day. I slept in a little later than normal, so got some decent sleep Saturday night. The Wife offered to go and pick up lunch, at a place of my choosing, so I chose Chino Bandidos - a Mexican/Chinese place we enjoy. Unfortunately, they are in the process of moving locations (still, sigh) and the new place had not opened yet. So a few minutes discussion via phone, and we ended up having Arby's. The Daughter called to give me good wishes that afternoon, so I got to "speak" to Doodad as well, though she was more interested in playing as a puppy instead, and would only "arf, arf" at anything said. The youngest Son actually gave me a hug and said Happy Father's Day. The Middle Son took the family to dinner - I chose Chili's (I love the fajitas) so we had a nice dinner out. I didn't hear from the Oldest Son, but I know he has lotsa things on his plate o take care of.

I had mentioned previously (I think) that I had purchased a beard straightener kit for myself a couple weeks back. Already had teasingly thanked the boys for their generous gift for Father's Day -which the confused expressions on their faces was worth it! But I did get some other nice gifts yesterday, that were not expected. A small package of beef jerky (YES!), some Whoppers candy (YES!) a large Heath toffee bar (YES!). A new coffee mug (not that I needed one) the The Wife couldn't pass up (for some reason). It is one of those 'change when the liquid in it is hot" types, and it says something like "Happy Fathers Day you Lowly Minion", has a pic of a black cat's head, "Your Sovereign Overlord, Lucius". Which happens to be "my" cat and is entirely black in color. The last gift I got, was this ....

The Wife thought she was clever in getting this shirt for me, since I complain about the cats all the time - even mine. She was able to select the number of cats displayed, the man's 'looks', and individualize the colors of the cats, plus add all their names at the bottom. So upper left (Grey) is Nimbus, upper right (brown calico) is Skitter, bottom right (Orange tabby) Rusty, aka Crack Kitty, and lastly is my baby, my lil black cat, Lucius. My hair may not be quite that gray/white, but it was as close in color and style as they could get. It is a cute shirt. I think I am going to wear it out today.

Aside from yesterday being a good day, I didn't sleep good last night. Bed about 10pm, back up at 11 since I wasn't falling asleep. Watched a movie until 1:30am, then tossed/turned until about 2 before sleeping. Up again at 7:30. No new project from the Company, so will be watching for that this week.

ND Country Fest trip is coming up in about a couple weeks. Looking forward to that. Then Middle Son's birthday. We asked him last night about what he wanted, and got the reply, "I haven't changed, so you still get the 'I don't know answer' I always give". At least he was honest. Labor Day is after that, and that is *THE* MOST **IMPORTANT** time of the year.... because I am turning 50. And no RM, I have no idea what I want.

Anyways, there some fodder for you readers today. I need to head off and get some reading done.

PeacE

Preppin' for Father's Day

  It's a typical Saturday morning for me. No, it's not. Usually I am crawling in from the pub at 1am, and sleeping until late morning, but today I am up at 4am. I wasn't out last night, and didn't get to bed late. All good things.

No plans today. We've gotten to a few boxes of books that the Wife needs me to go through. There were several boxes that were moved from the old place, that had been in the storage room, full of books. Supposedly, they are ones I either read, or had wanted to read at some point in time. I'd gone through one box the other day, and remembered only a couple of the paperback titles, but had no idea where the rest of the books had come from. And no, there was a mixed genre going on, and I highly doubt any were something the kids would have chosen to read a those younger years. My best guess is that they were books MIL had "gotten" and thought I would enjoy. I can see me kind of tossing them into a box and setting them aside as something I really wasn't interested in. I really don't like people physically giving me a book that I have not actually said I wanted. You want to suggest a book? Sure, I'll consider it, but don't acquire it then give it to me expecting me to be happy. It was several years ago, I finally spoke to RM about buying books for me. RM did pick out books in my genre(s) and I did read them. I just didn't enjoy them that much.

The Middle Son started a text message chain with the Wife last night. Started by asking if we would be free (the Family) for dinner on Saturday, or Sunday, evening. The Wife comes and asks me. Of course since I am a selfish person, and it IS Father's Day this weekend, I figured maybe he just wanted to take "us" out for that. So I told Wife to say "Sure!", which she did. Son comes back asking which  night and time, and where would Dad like to go. Note: this is still texts between he and the Wife... So I say Sunday, like 6pm, but need to pick a place I guess. Trying to think of somewhere not terribly expensive that we can go 'sit-down' at, and not hurt his pocket book. I'm thinking Chili's because I do like their fajitas. Figure that out today as well.

I'd already thanked some of the kids for the early gift I got 'from them' about a week ago. My beard kind of grows wonky - it has waves and twisties in it, that conditioner and brushing won't get out. So I bought a nice beard straightener brush, which is basically a hair iron in a brush. It has a nice wooden beard comb, carry case, and some sandalwood scented beard balm. I used it once a few days later, and it truly does its purpose. I was able to levelly trim some longer strands and get the beard to look more "full". I love the looks on the two younger Sons when I told them thanks... it was with a innocent look of "Why"? I explained and they were just, "Ok Dad!" I also got a 6-pack of bandanas, so I can carry one with me to wipe the sweat from my forehead now that the weather is in the mid 110's.

Sure sounds exciting to be around here today, don't it?

PeacE

Another Friend Gone

 I got a call from my buddy J about an hour ago. Seems a friend of his, that  had not had a chance to meet, passed away last night. This friend had been going some medical issues, but they certainly weren't supposed to be life threatening ones. This friend's girlfriend found him when she returned home yesterday evening. The talk was this friend was going to join on in ND this July as well. Guess that's not happening, and the only way I'll meet him now is at his funeral. I was lucky to have had the chance to talk to him over the phone a few times at least. H was a funny guy, a novelist, and an attorney.

I know it is just a fact of life, that the older we get, it seems the more people we know pass away. Sure they are... they are getting old too! Just not a fun thought.

Finished up this work project a few days early, so now am waiting the next one.

I think I am going to have a drink.... and raise one for H.

PeacE

A Wednesday Post

 I knew it was going to happen. In the wee hours of the morning (about 2:15am) I awoke. I looked at the time. Way to early. I rolled over and closed my eyes. Sigh. Ain't happening. I went ahead and got up. All that sleep I got yesterday, I knew there was no way I was going to sleep through until the alarm went off at 5:30.

With work hours based on a Mid-West time frame (Project Lead and many on the Team are in that locale) I can't start until 5am at the earliest. I played some Warcraft. I read some blogs. I did social media. I even did a post here. I still have around 40 minutes before I can start work, and I am wide awake. I was hoping that I would 'get tired' earlier, and catch a two hour nap, but no.

At least I can say I will finish up work earlier than a usual day for me. Then I probably will need a nap. Try to get my sleep schedule back into a rhythm again. Was doing fairly good until that shot.

No agenda this week. Just work. Yay.

PeacE

Update on the Shot That Killed Me

 I slept thru most of the day. It's almost 7pm, and I finally got up about 30 minutes ago - mainly because I had to use the restroom. I'm still achy and tired, but not as bad as this morning. At this rate, I should be fine by tomorrow - or most of the way fine. I still cannot believe how much sleeping I did.

It is back to work tomorrow though. I am having some Powerade and crackers for dinner tonight, as I am still feeling nauseous. Maybe tomorrow I can eat regular foods. Maybe I can get the Wife to go get a shake tonight....

PeacE

Death Comes Knocking ....

 Well, not really. I went and got the second Pfizer Covid vaccination shot this morning. I've been somewhat curious about how I might react afterwards, as The Wife and RM both mentioned 'feeling tired' more than usual the next day(s). It may be too early for that to show up for me, yet I wonder. I know the Wife had the Moderna shot. Not sure what RM had. Youngest had his first Pfizer one a week ago. So far today, there is a little soreness at the injection site (normal). Being about 5 hours after the shot, I am not sure if the tiredness I feel is from the shot, or just regular work stuff. I have a slight headache, but that is something that happens off/on when I do this much reading for work. Guess I will have to wait until tomorrow to see if I actually feel something.

I may just leave this in draft form until I have more ....

Tuesday Update: I want to die. I spent most of the night awake, since every time I moved, I hurt. There were bad dreams, tossing/turning, a huge morning time of diarreah. Around 5am I email work to let them know there was no way I could work today.

I hope I feel better tomorrow...

PeacE

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights

 No, you won't find a YouTube video of Freddy Fender singing this popular song. It's just a pretty good description of how my last 24 hours have been. Well, maybe not quite all 24 hours of it....

Went and hung out with friends last night at the pub. We had a good sized group of us (about 8) which is more than the usual 3-4 on Fridays. We were all meeting up at another place than the usual. Our usual hang-out has become increasingly ghetto clientele and the drug exchanges in the bathrooms, the constant smell of weed being smoked on the smoking patio - Time to find a new place. And it is a fairly nice place with better menu options. Though, last night they get demerits. Our waitresses messed up orders (drinks) and obviously were just charging things to whoever's tab showed up first on their monitors. I know, because mine was much higher than usual - and I did not specifically say I was buying anyone's drinks/food. By then, the group had dwindles down to three of us, so how am I going to collect from someone not there? We're all friends - it'll work out. I hope the service improves, or we might be looking again.

Having had a few drinks, and very little sleep the night before I crashed fast last night. Vaguely remember the Wife waking me at some point of the morning, but going back to sleep until nearly 2 in the afternoon. But I feel so much better having caught up on the sleep. Wife and I decided on Golden Corral for a late lunch/early dinner (at 3 in the afternoon). The buffet has been opened up again for awhile, where they put the food on your plate, as you go around the food area. But now it has returned to you doling out your own, though they ask you to wear plastic gloves while doing so. Masks were optional. Needless to say I was happy. The wife was able to get a variety of foods that she can tolerate (her sense of smell/taste has been returning very slowly towards normal, but still has many issues). 

My replacement debit card came finally, so I have been trying to remember every service I use the card for auto-pay, or orders regularly, and updating the info on each site. I think the only one left is Youngest Sons WoW account. I can't remember what password we used, so will have to ask him. Think I have everyone else covered. Guess I'll find out within the next few weeks with email notifications that payment was not going through somewhere....

Tomorrow looks to be another lazy day for me. Not sure what I am going to do. Probably should get more reading done. I'm at 97 books read this year so far. I have a couple in process that I'll need to write reviews for (Advanced Reader Copies). I have another two I am hoping they approve and send me an ARC. Plus there is a friend of mine that lives in Chandler (south side of the Valley) whose neighbor is looking for someone to read her book. I told him to give her my email, and contact me about what she would like from a reader - a review, or other notes notes about continuity, etc. 

Guess I am out of here for now....

PeacE

My Mind is Slush

 Had a bad night with sleeping. I would toss/turn for what seemed 30-45 minutes, then fall asleep, then wake, and it had only been about 10 minutes. Repeat. All. Night. Long. I finally got out of bed around 9:30 this morning, knowing I had to work, but just not feeling awake.

Then I log in to find the Team Lead reassigned me to a special project within the main project we are working on. I don't mind that. It means they value my speed/correctly done work....but it is a tedious process what they have me working on. My mind is just 'blech' with the lack of sleep and slogging through this today. I still have about an hour to go to make my 8 hours for the day, but I am ready to just sign off for the day. I *am* presently the last team member online (most are mid-west or east coast time zones). My Project Lead is online if I have any questions, so he only checks every now and then.

While I debate logging out, I am here trying to clear my mind a little and maybe will go back to working that last hour. I am sure my buddy will be calling anytime to ask what my plans are for tonight - if we are meeting up at the pub or what. I dunno what I am doing yet.

PeacE

Things to Do ... People to See (Well, Not Really)

 I started a new project yesterday with the company. It's nothing major, and it supposed to last about 2 1.2 weeks - perfect for timing before I go to ND. 

I actually got some pretty decent sleep last night. Went to bed about 8:30 and up at 5:30am. hoping to get an early start on the job so I can be off around 2pm. I have learned over the years, I like starting/ending the work day earlier. Even if I am not a morning person. At least that will keep others on their toes.

Had a nice surprise yesterday. We received not one, but two, separate checks from our electric company. Seems there was a settlement in some kind of class action lawsuit about rate increases, or something, and if one had an account with them at that particular time period, you got a check. So we got one for this house, and the old home. Both were the same amount, and wasn't so HUGE to be ASTOUNDING, but it was nice.

I should be heading out to get ready to log into work.

PeacE

It's a Little Depressing

 Friday morning, The Wife packed several boxes and some clothes into her vehicle. Then she climbed in and drove away. I didn't see it, as I was back in our computer room playing Warcraft that morning. Maybe that was why she left me? Naw... she was headed down to Tucson to spend some extra time with the Daughter (Doodad was an added bonus). I don't want to over-share, but the Daughter had recently started to get the feeling of being overwhelmed, as some parents can relate to, in regards to being around young children with no adult interaction, or alone time, etc. So The Wife had decided she was going down to give Daughter more adult interaction. I didn't mind. The two younger Sons were going down with me on Saturday, as we had a concert we were attending then anyways.

So Saturday, as I said, the boys and I drove down about mid day. The Youngest played and entertained Doodad, the Middle Son sat and talked with the SIL about computer and board games they like. I pretty much sat on the couch and played some games on my tablet. The concert was a little early - about 6pm, so was over by 8'ish. Just The Wife, Daughter, Middle Son, and I attended (more adult time for Daughter). Place called the Gaslight Theater, and it was nice. Our table (yes, table seating) was 10 feet from the stage. You could order food/drinks (which I was happy about - stomach was growling, and I was thirsty). The group we watched was LoBros, who are local to the area. They were playing hits from groups that influence their music (Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Blood Sweat and Tears, etc) with that 70's kind of brass band sound. They also intermix classical music into other genres, like samba music. It was very entertaining, and very enjoyable. 

We did both drive home late into the night, arriving around 12:30. This morning found us sleeping in a little bit more than usual due to being a bit more tired - not so much of the late hour, but the driving, etc. Not much on today's agenda.

The Wife had made bread & butter pickles last week. Couple decent-sized Tupperware containers of, anyways. I was told I could have some before she left, but with the stipulation, I had to tell her which one tasted better. To answer that more fully, she had made two batches: one using a recipe from the internet she had found, the other being RM's recipe. I truly didn't get around to this taste-test, but Last night, The Wife brought out two smaller containers from the Daughter's fridge. The Wife brought them down for them to taste. So of course I had to do it as well. It was an easy taste test - I picked RM's within seconds of tasting the second option. It was distinctive in the taste. But we did agree the internet recipe were a bit crisper due to it being a recipe that only called for the mix to set in the fridge for 24 hours, versus RM's recipe is a heated mixture. RM still for the win though, IMO.

I didn't get much Doodad time yesterday. I am a little upset by it, but what can I expect? She is only 4 years old, and having a young uncle that can (and is willing) to run around with you, etc.... slow-moving Papaw is going to lose every time. I'll wait a couple more years when she will appreciate the time with me better, I guess.

Almost noon here, so I suppose I should ask the Wife what are plans for lunch. I know I'm hungry. For some reason got chicken sandwich with pickles on my mind this morning....

PeacE

Recuperating

 Looking back on the last post, I wish I had stayed down. I was able to get a bit more sleep. The early evening found us going out with the Oldest Son to Fuddrucker's (a burger joint). Then I decided to go out to the pub and meet up with friends for a little bit. I truly meant, a little bit. But it turned ionto a longer bot, then over at a friend's house talking through the night, then early morning at a pub that opened up, then to my brother's, then to the VFW. It was late afternoon Monday before I made it home. I am not made to do that like I was years ago. I was not heavy drinking, but just being up that long.... Well, at least maybe some good came out of it. I am a new Auxillary member at the VFW.

I logged into work yesterday, and had a message waiting for me on what project I am to be on, and what they want me to do. However, I didn't have the correct credentials to get logged in to the program. They had me try a set, but when they did not work, I was told that I was to just check back later through the day and see if they were able to find any that would work. Yeah, real classy.... So, in short, I didn't work yesterday. At one point, I did receive an email asking if I was available for a project. It goes back to the lower pay level, but at least I can work. I replied I was available, and the job noted it was to start today. No new update via email. I logged into Teams and no new news there. Thinking it may be another day of no work.

Nothing else to write about. I just got to sit here off and on through the day to see if anything comes up. Joy.

PeacE