Going Mental

 The last couple of weeks have been somewhat ... different. I say that in a way, that I don't mean my daily routines varied so much, or major catastrophes happened. It's just been different. I noticed that I have felt a higher amount of tiredness - not necessarily sleepiness, just overall tiredness. My mental state has been pretty blah ... just not worth getting excited about anything. My friends have noticed that I am "quieter than normal - not being a s chatty". In doing some self reflection, I see that now. I have no idea what started this, nor how long it will last.

I 'emailed in' sick yesterday. I said I was not feeling well (I wasn't) and that I would need a couple days to hopefully get over it. Why? I don't know - I just did. I did not feel well - physically was weary, and another pain (talk soon). I was achy in an almost flu-like way. I was not hungover, I just didn't feel good. I did catch some extra sleep, but it left me feeling worse off I think than before. Probably the reason I am up and awake at 2:45 in the morning. That, and the back-to-back dreamings I had that woke me with my heart racing. I won't go into detail, as it isn't important... just was.

Sunday night I had the Wife take a look at my lower left leg. the partial front and outer part of my calf had started hurting that day, and it felt feverish, and tight, like the skin was going to split open. She wasn't sure what it could be, but thought it might be a skin infection from when I had the car accident last April. This was the leg that had gotten some scratching on the shin from the dashboard edge. Her other thought was "compartmentalized something or other". No clue what that meant. It could be just an inflammation of some sort. I took some acetaminophen and stayed off it. Yesterday it still ached to the touch, and when bearing weight, though it didn't seem as bad as Sunday. This morning it is still touch sensitive, and I'll drop a couple more pills before trying to lay down again at some point.

Maybe my mental state is just the body getting old on me. I have no clue.

PeacE

Draggin' Da Feet

 I am dragging this morning. I went to bed around 9:30 last night, but know I tossed and turned until at least midnight. From there it was a catnap type of sleep, waking several times for unknown reasons. I'm tired, and am just dragging my feet this morning in getting anything done. It's been a good 30 minutes already, and all I have accomplished is my BP and sugar checks. I dread work, which I should start here in about 5 minutes.

It is Thursday, so one of the buddies will send out his usual text around 3pm today, asking "Who's up for beers?". I don't know at this moment if I will want to go. I suppose it will be how I feel as the time gets closer. We don't meet up until 8'ish as a rule, so plenty of time...

Finally got logged into work, made a bowl of cereal, and should get the day moving. 

PeacE

Backlogged

 Yesterday, I completed some reviews for some of the books I have already read this year. Only two were 'required' as they were ARCs I had received. As I started the first one, I noticed that I had not gotten around to doing ANY reviews yet this year, and decided to put up the two, and included a third that covered a seven book series I had read. I know, I know, I don't write reviews for EVERY book I read - I wonder when I would have the time to do all that? I do at least give them a rating (within 5 stars) on Goodreads, where I keep track of what/when I have read. Something is better than nothing.

Speaking of reading, I started a "new" series yesterday. Remember back in the '80s a show called "Spenser for Hire"? I think it was Robert Urich that played Spenser, a Boston private investigator, based off the novels by Robert B. Parker. I had read all of them, and there was a couple spin-offs from the book series - Jesse Stone, a Paradise, MA police chief, and Sunny Randall, another Boston PI. I started the Sunny Randall books - there is about 10 of them. They are fairly quick reads, as were the Spenser books, so I am sure I can get through 1 every couple days when I sit down and read.

Where was I going with that last paragraph? Oh, I remember... backlogged. So when I start in on a series, I usually like to have as many of the series available to me, so I don't "skip" some information that may occur in one book. Needless to say, I start feeling I am backlogged on other books I want to read when I start a longer series. Last year I read the Rogue Angel series (62 books) and it felt like forever to get to another type of story. Just because I don't want to 'quit' on a series. I kind of glanced through my ebook library(ies) and I see so many books I have on my TBR section. I also have another section of large series that I want to get through. When I start those, I know all the other books will get put on hold (except ARCs I receive). One I know I want to re-visit is the Powder Mage series. I have read most of the books as they came out, but want to re-read them (in order) to remind myself of the whole story as it happened, not just pieces here and there.

And, I see I have lost your interest in just three paragraphs. Yeah, I know I tend to do that pretty fast sometimes. Welp, I guess that means I should mosey on out of here... after all, I know of another backlog I need to go take care of in the 'reading room'....

PeacE

A-yup, Ain't Nothing Happening

 What a low-keyed weekend I had. Saturday, took the Wife out to breakfast followed with a trip to the VFW that afternoon. I played $20 into the pull-tabs, won $150, so decided to stay for the Queen of Hearts drawing that night as it was up over $3K. Didn't win that, though. Sunday, I stayed home and "hid" from the buddies. The football games were all in the afternoon/evening, and I just didn't feel like going to the pub. One texted me around 2, and I ignored his text. The other called around 4-5 and I just didn't answer. Was in bed by 9'ish and sleep okay for the night.

It is Monday, and so it is back to work. Glad this project is still going on, as this is week three, and it is supposed to go until the end of February. I ain't holding my breath. Their estimates on how long a project lasts has been longer than they projects actually go.

Not much to write about today. I haven't checked the news yet, and still working on waking up.

PeacE

Just a Few Minutes...

 I only have about 10 minutes or so before I log into my work day, to share a whole lot of nothing with you. I did get a later start than I wanted yesterday, but still managed to get my eight hours in without having to work later than I prefer. Today, I am starting a little earlier than usual, just because I can. 

It is Thursday, and that means one of the buddies will be sending out a group text around 3pm asking if anyone wants to meet up for a few beers. This friend does it every week, as this is the only night his wife allows him to get out and spend an hour or two with friends. RM's post today about the things that come out of one's mouth, so I should stop there before commenting about this friend's wife.... I have not decided if I want to go out or not. With me joining the Warcraft raid group I am in that meets two nights a week, the Youngest's percussion practices on Tuesdays, and nights just spent at home, I have narrowed out much of the time I use to spend drinking. All in all, that's a good thing I guess. Though, it does cut into the reading time somewhat.

Speaking of reading, I updated the widgets on the right side of the blog to show this years goals, and updated the one that shows what I am currently reading, as if you cared. I got RM to start using Goodreads.com to help mark her reading progresses, though, I think it was yesterday she mentioned she had marked some other books she had marked as 'reading' as 'read' as she had finished them last year, and it counted to this year's goal. I'll have to go and look at that on mine, and see if I can figure out how to show her so it doesn't count on the reading goals if she hasn't read it this year. I know, you are soooo interested in that....

Welp, I guess I should close this off and get logged into work.

PeacE

Livin' It Up

 Wow, there has been so much excitement the last few days....not!

Sunday, I did end up at the pub at the 'regular' time, and of course, no one showed up until nearly 2 in the afternoon. One friend didn't come (again) as he and his girlfriend were preparing to go to Las Vegas in a day or so. The games were boring, and the company just 'Meh', as the one friend (the owner) had to keep running around doing stuff.

The Wife had texted me shortly after I had gotten there, that a good friend of 30+ years had passed away that morning. She had heard from one of the daughters. I had known this lady back when I first started working in an office, and shared so much with her over those years. Though she had moved to the Williams area several years ago, we kept in touch. I was aa bit surprised to hear about her passing, but not surprised as she was older by several years, and had not been in the best of health. Just hurts a bit when you lose a friend.

Monday was MLK day - not that I ever cared. The Youngest got to stay home from school, yet I had to work. Well, they gave us an option. We could take the day, and work four 10-hour days the rest of the week (to make 40 hours if we wanted) or could work that day. I chose to work. No sense not working when I didn't have any other plans to do anything. Yesterday, the workload we were currently working on dried up, and this morning already there is a message that they will contact us when the next part is ready. So who knows how long I'll be sitting here waiting this morning. 'They' estimate an hour or so (from about 7am) but who truly knows. All I know is I am not working past 4pm today. I got things to do...

Welp, I guess I will mosey on out of here and do some more of my internet stuff whilst waiting to hear from the job.

PeacE

Sunday Decisions

 It's another Sunday and I am up earlier than I want to be. I mean, 6:30 is not too early, but I would have preferred to sleep at least until the alarm went off - which was set for 8:30. Oh well. I know why I am up early at least. That five hour nap I had yesterday afternoon (by mistake) probably was the reason. I really only mean to lay down or about an hour, but the body thought differently, and I had not told the Wife to wake me, so she didn't.

Aside from sleeping a good part of yesterday, I really didn't do much. Today I am not sure what I am going to do. Usually I meet up with a couple football buddies around 10:30 and catch the games. But this is playoffs now, and none of our teams made it, so we have nothing in it. Last week, one was sick, and the other had some other things going on, so I spent most of the day by myself. I don't know if I feel like going this morning. Will have to think about it - I got time to do that being up early.

Well, I mentioned a short time ago about the Oldest Son's car being stolen about a week before Christmas. I waited until about a week ago to cancel the insurance, just incase he got word it was recovered. When I contacted the insurance, was told he had Comp/Collision on it, which I didn't think we had put on the policy. So he called it in to the insurance, and they started their process. Turns out, the car HAD been recovered, and yet the Police department NEVER contacted my Son. The insurance company was going to take the car to one of their places, and do the valuation of damage, or if it was totaled, etc. As of Friday we are still waiting to find out what they determined. I know the Son has been looking online at vehicles, and has made a pretty firm decision as to what his next vehicle will be. We are just in a "holding pattern" waiting to see what the insurance decision is, and what to do with the vehicle if it is not completely totaled.

Got nothing else today. Maybe something will happen to share tomorrow.

PeacE

Well, That Wasn't Smart ...

 Thursday night I went out to meet up with the buds. Then I stayed later than I should have. In fact, Around 11pm I got asked to help out my friend, the bar owner, to help with security. They just did not have enough guys on "College Night" to watch every single door, and there were those trying to sneak in their under-aged friends, etc. So I did. Which meant I didn't get out of there until almost 2:30am, followed  with my friend asking me to Dennys for breakfast to "pay" me for helping him out. C'mon, food? Of course I went. So as I stumbled into bed around 4am, I knew Friday w2as going to be a tough day.

Turns out it wasn't. When I finally 'woke' at 8am, I knew I was not going to be working that day. I got up, sent off an email about not feeling well (because I truly wasn't) and went back to bed. Slept until non, literally. Do I regret "calling in sick" to work? Nope. So Friday night was raid, and I guess I slept pretty good (again) and up around 8 this morning. I even folded a basket of my laundry already. I'm freakin' awesome.

Nothing on the agenda today for me, really. The Wife says she wants to 'get things done' around the house, but hopefully they do not include me. I may just spend the day doing a couple small things here and there, then play some Warcraft.

PeacE

Going to be a Long One

 Awake at 0320 today. Dang cat woke me, as he stepped on the switch for the multi-strip at the side of my bed, shutting off my CPAP. So I got up and went into the office for about an hour, trying to find something to bore me, and help make me tired. I gave up and tried going back to bed around 0430, but it just was not to be. Finally I just got up and gave up trying to get any more sleep. Which means, today will be a long one as I am sure I will start getting drowsy mid-day.

Have nothing of interest today, to write about. Work being what it is, and just not having much of a life right now. Maybe tomorrow.

PeacE

Getting Cheap

 Who doesn't like to save a buck? I know I don't mind saving some money when purchasing things - be it the item being on sale, or discounted for a multitude of reasons. The Wife (the frugal one of our relationship) has always been awesome at finding deals on things, etc. and it has helped us save money over the years. We shop at discount stores for food and clothes. We watch for things to go on sale. You get the idea of what I mean.

So yesterday, after wrapping up with the workday, I decided to run over to the 99 Cent store, as I needed to get some bread, some water flavoring packets, and maybe some soda. Oh, and reading glasses. I broke mine the other day. The one near our home is of a decent size. And there were empty shelves! I strolled down the soda aisle, and the only soda there were about three different flavors of Shasta, where they usually have several flavors, and brands. When I got to the water flavoring, there was only like five available flavors - and only 1 of the kind I like. Bread... oh my. No white bread, but I found one package of white hamburger buns. Are things so expensive now, that even the "dollar store" can't stock it's shelves?

Oh, and I found a pair of reading glasses there. They were stronger than the ones I had picked up before, and when I got home, they actually work better than the previous pair. Bonus.

I have a feeling I will break down and go over to WinCo this weekend. The one 2-liter of Shasta Lemon/Lime I got is last night is almost gone already. I do love my sodas. I know the Youngest has asked if we could get some soda for him as well.

Welp, I should get back to actually working.

PeacE

A Reset Tuesday

 I play a large MMORPG game online called World of Warcraft. I have for years. Anyways, every day they have a reset - usually around 7am PST. Just a quick 'blip' and the "daily quests", dungeon locks, etc, all reset and freshen to a new day. Weekly, on Tuesday mornings, is the "Weekly Reset" - where the larger things (World Quests, Raids, Group Events, etc) do a reset. It is also the morning that they put in fixes for program issues, or adjustments to character attributes, and most important, add new features. This is usually an hour or more of time "down" as they add in the needed software changes, etc. Every Tuesday is the big one.

Today sort of feels that way for me. Woke around 6am, feeling fairly awake, and decided to just lay in bed until the Wife left around 630. Then got up for the necessities, and wandered into the office. I can start work at 7, but have been pushing it off until 730 just because I can. I really am not a fan of this type, and this particular, project. Supposedly it is to last through the end of February, and that feels like a long time for a project I don't like. Sigh. Don't worry, I'm sucking it up and just trying to do the best I can.

With school getting back into the swing of things, the Youngest now has to have Tuesday night practices. It is a percussion practice mandatory every Tuesday. Why? I have no idea. I am not happy about it - additional time we have to take out of our day to get him there on time, and pick him up...Hold on. Tonight's was an "optional" one as they were going to repair, fix, prepare the instruments for next week when they officially start this, but the Son just texted me that the "leader" isn't going to be there tonight, so he isn't going. Nice, for tonight. But they still have the even t going on the next several weeks (months?) that this has to be done. Sigh.

I guess I need to get out and do a little shopping this evening. Used up the rest of the bread yesterday having mayo and pickle sandwiches for lunch, then realized last night that the Wife had picked up more lunchmeat for lunches - but now I have no bread. I also broke my reading glasses. I had picked up a pair that matched my bi-focals, so I didn't have to lean my head back all day working at the computer. So now I need to see if I can find a couple cheap pairs at the dollar store or something. Need some more water flavor packets too, as the root beer ones I got for Christmas are gone already. Course, I like other flavors as well...

Reading has started off well this year. I think I am about 6 books in already. I was able to get about three read over the weekend, which was nice for a change. I see I got RM to get back on one of the sites I use (Goodreads.com) and she has set a goal for herself. I hope she will be able to keep it updated as she goes through books (and the year) whether or not she meets the goal she set. Reminder RM, even if you re-read a book, it counts - just add the additional date range you read it the second time!

Welp, I got about 30 minutes before I need to actually get to work, and I need to get a couple other things accomplished....

PeacE

First Friday

 I finally got to start in on the new project for the Company yesterday. About halfway through the day, the Manager pulled me into chat. Seems he felt the need to tell me there were 89 files that I had not completed correctly. When I asked what exactly he meant, he proceeded to tell me that I had not provided a note in the comment area of each as to what the file contained. I explained back that there was a confusion to that as to what was told through their guidelines, and specifically pointed it out to him. He wasn't happy with me. I don't think this guy is happy at all anyways. He closed out our conversation with asking me if I knew how to self-validate my work, which I said yes. He says "Then do it!" and leaves.

What a jerk!

The projects I have been working on while at this company have been data breach incidents, what we call Cyber Incident Response. This project has that, AND Confident Business Information, which is where I have been assigned. I determined this project has been at this company now since at least October, so all their protocol guidelines are out of date. They provided no training for this CBI area of work I have never done. And when I am accused of not doing the job right, of course I'm telling them what I think. So at this point, I am debating writing an email to those over this butthead's head, and asking to either be moved to a section of the project that I know the work, or move to another project completely. Or I may try to stick it out, as in the meeting they said they would be pulling people with certain skills to other aspects of the project. I hope it is soon, and that I am one of them.

Since yesterday was a shitshow, I went and had a few drinks last night. I have been doing pretty good at cutting back lately, and this morning it shows. I slept through several alarms set for the 6-7 range. Well, some I woke to, and reset for a later time. I finally drug my ass out of bed because the dog was barking like crazy. I checked the door and they were getting ready to spray paint the house next door, and asked if I wanted to move my car (yes). So now I am supposed to working hard, but find myself only half-hearted in the attempt at a workday.

Oh. Joy.

PeacE

Back to Normal?

 Up at 6am this morning. a regular time for me in the winter, when I unable to start work until at least 7am. I like the summer hours better, as I can start at 6, but I wonder how that will go now, since daylight savings is supposedly not going to be used much longer. Yesterday's meeting for the new project went fairly well. The work-type has changed a bit for this project, and I feel a little uncomfortable with just reading through the protocols, and going on what very, very basic examples we were shown. I wasn't able to get 'hands-on' as all of us brought in yesterday, were not able to access the project on the needed software. That wasn't fixed until nearly 5pm (for me) last night, and I was not going to log on for 30 minutes of work. So that means I am diving in this morning in just under an hour.

My work day will be followed up by heading to the Oldest Son's abode. Found out yesterday, we had put Comp/Collision on his policy (I didn't think we had) so he needs to call the insurance about his stolen car. He won't get much, but a few thousand dollars is better than nothing. Then he wants to 'test drive' my Rav4. He is looking to get one, or a similar model, and wants to actually drive one before spending the time looking for that particular type. It'll be nice to spend some time with him, even though the situation wasn't the best.

I think I will work on the leftover pizza for lunch (again) today. Seems when there is pizza leftover, I'm the only one that eats it. The Wife didn't feel like cooking last night and told us to find whatever for dinner, mentioning that there was quite a bit of pizza. The Youngest goes and gets ramen noodles, instead of the pizza. Sigh. I may end up throwing some of it out because, honestly, after two days of pizza, even I get tired of it. Follow up with some of the spicy pickle spears that the Daughter made. Once those are gone, I'll start in on RM's bread 'n butter pickles I got for Christmas.

As I was sitting here, waiting on the computer to reboot this morning, I thought, wouldn't it be nice to have a cup of coffee this morning? Then I remembered back a couple days ago. I had thought the same thing, and fixed myself a large cup. Now I don't Keurig, I just use instant. About three hours after I finished the coffee, I was bouncing off the walls. Turns out the instant the Wife had picked up for me, was caffeinated, not decaf, and boy was I wired! I mentioned it to her, and all she said was that she thought that was what I drank. Sigh. Container says makes 120 servings... got 119 to go. Yee. Haw.

Welp, the Wife just left with the Youngest to get him to school. I need to get a few other things done before work.

PeacE

Day Four (or Things Are Starting To Look Better)

 This morning is starting on a better note. Well, at least I got to sleep until 7am this morning, versus that early stuff like yesterday. That's a plus in the book.

Yesterday afternoon I got an email from teh Company, and there is a project starting up today. I, of course, responded about how available I was, and was selecteted to be on the project. This one, allegedly, is to run through til the end of February - but I ain't holding my breath. I'm a little  ticked with their promises of three weeks, yet we complete it in half the time. Either way, it is back to work today. Yay!

The Oldest Son called yesterday. I believe I mentioned a couple weeks back about his car being stolen. We talked for a short bit and decided to meet up Thursday after I get off work. He has mentioned he likes the ride of my vehicle, and would like to take it out for a drive. He is debating getting a similar style this weekend, as his need for his own vehicle is becoming stronger. He has been getting rides from co-workers to/from work since his car was stolen. Which we still have heard nothing about.

Youngest is getting ready to head out the door in his return to school. I need to find something for breakfast since I have just taken my meds. Probably will be an apple. Leftover pizza for lunch today. Joy.

PeacE

Day 3

 These post titles are going to get pretty boring if I keep going on like I am.

Up early today. Woke around 3:30am and used the facility. Got a drink of cold water, and returned to bed, falling back asleep quite easily. Only to wake at 4:30am wide awake. So up out of bed and into the office I go. Which I guess in some ways is good. I needed to get a review up on the last book I read in 2022, as I have not taken the time yet. Got that done, jumped over to Goodreads.com and set my new goal for 2023 (at 200 books again, even though last year I exceeded at 266). Took a spin around the sites I peruse for ARCs, or other books coming out for future books to read. 

...and it is only 5:14am now. Sigh. I see a nap coming at some point today.

Only crickets can be heard when I check my emails for work related information. School starts back up tomorrow for the Youngest. I assume the 'City' was by yesterday to look at my front yard to 'approve' it has been cut to under 6", though I never saw them. We spent part of Saturday and between rains on Sunday trying to finish it all up. It would have been faster (and better looking in my opinion) if we didn't have to band-trim around all the freaking plants the Wife tries to grow in the front and along the side. For some reason, her flowers and other plants just don't like being planted by her it seems, and do not tend to live long. I swear, every trip to Lowes, she is in the nursery looking at more flowers/plants. But the yard does look pretty nice, even if it has caused me some physical aches as I am not used to that much physical activity.

The Wife came home last night and asked if I had heard about the football game on earlier. I said no, as I had no care for either team playing now that Washington is out. It was the big deal about a player that had a play, then staggered and fell. After reading an article this mornning, I see it was a cardiac arrest, he was revivied after several minutes of CPR on the field. He is listed as in critical condition at the local UMC. The game was suspended, with no info about a continuation at this point. I mentioned to the Wife that I had not heard, and I really gave it a flippant "Eh." when she told me. These players know thiese risks when they play. I'm sure the player wasn't expecting a heart attack last night, but they know their medical history well enough, I am sure. That's why they risk it for the big bucks. I feel for the player and his family, sure, but not for the the events that happened to cause/because of it.

Day 3 of the new year, and my 'Snack Basket' is still pretty full, and almost overflowing. I had taken not only the goodies that came in it, but added my food/snack goodies from my stocking and other gifts to the basket. It now resides here beside the desk, within hands reach, for when those hungries come visit. I thnk this was such a good gift from RM! Maybe next year it will be a box of 'Snack Basket Refills' for Christmas! Lots of pickles, beef jerky and snack packs to get through, woo hoo!

Today's agenda: Whole lot of nothing. The Wife has a Dr appointment to re-up on her BP meds. I got the text yesterday from Walgreens that my prescriptions are ready. I think I mentioned about a month ago that they called and set me up so all my meds come in and can do in one pick-up versus the several I had to do. Which is nice. And starts this month. I'll wait until this afternoon to go though, as I am sur ethey will call in a scrip for the Wife, and I will pick hers up as well. She also gave me the new medical insurance info to giv ethem. I guess the plan changes somewhat this year, even though still with the same company.

Welp, guess that was the best I got today for ya....

PeacE

Day 2

 It is a Monday, and the second day of 2023, and I need to get back to work. I have not heard from them since wrapping up the last project three weeks ago, and I am starting to get the stir crazies now. I've already sent off an email to them reminding them I am available and ready. Hopefully, something comes along soon.

Nothing of major import going on right now. Washington lost yesterday, so are now pretty much out of the play-off picture. I'm not happy about who they played, but I am sure it had to be some contractual thing, because that QB sucked. First quarter he had two completions and two interceptions. Why did they leave him in the rest of the game? Sigh. SMH.

Short post today.

PeacE