Thursday, March 07, 2024

Five Minute Blogging

  •  Work has a lot going on which is good (it's never dull) and bad (OMG it's never dull).
  • I got a promotion and a 10% raise this quarter. I'll take it. 
  • My in laws are closing on their house sale in 2 weeks and moving here in 5 weeks.
  • I wanted them to and have been helping but it is A Lot.
  • My kids have all developed a sportsball obsession and Oldest Kid is on the high school JV team now. I never in a million years would have predicted this outcome,  but it's really good for him. 
  • I had to start a spreadsheet to keep track of the sportsball pickups. Oy.
  • The flowers are blooming and I want more flowers. 
  • Tub faucet broke so I get to learn some new plumbing skills this weekend! 
  • Teaching Sunday School is kicking my rear and I don't quite know why. Maybe it's just the proverbial straw.

Friday, March 01, 2024

Translations From Recent Things I Have Said In Meetings

"I'm not sure all stakeholders here are fully aligned": Come get this dodo out of this meeting before I reach through Zoom and do violence. 

"There may be additional business implications": I could have told you what a bad idea this was six months ago but here we are.

"I'm concerned that if we can't identify a root cause this will continue to be an issue": Last time you didn't listen and we spent three months managing a comms fire.

"I'm concerned that this may have a serious impact on customer experience": I will be looking at job ads as soon as this call is over.

"I'm not sure this level of effort is sustainable on the contracted timelines": I am looking at job ads RIGHT NOW. 

Sunday, February 04, 2024

Adulting, Latest Round

 This month we must:

Do our taxes 

Arrange for a revised will and trust, including nominating guardians and arranging a financial trustee

Deal with an electric meter code violation (possible by cutting a hole in the porch) 


Good times!

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

New Skill Needed

 I am currently the chair of our small town tree board (everyone else flat out refused). And I have just realized that I need to learn a new skill: tactfully cutting people off and/or getting them to stop talking.


The last meeting had a record level of contention over two beautiful old trees that need to come down- sad,  but it happens.  And there was a Cranky Old Guy there to complain about it at length.  He was about 80; I couldn't bring myself to break in and tell him to wrap it up/ shut up/ get a grip. 


How do you gratefully get others to stop talking,  when you're in charge? 

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

 My in laws have now told my dear spouse to not show up at all for a holiday visit, because they think that:

1) Their not very bright small town doctor speaks only gospel truth

2) A covid test can tell you when you DO have it...

3) but not when you're not contagious any more...

4) and I (a protein biochemist specialist in binding) and my spouse (who teaches a course on immunology), with our two PhD and combined age of 89 years, couldn't possibly know anything about it. 

The children are distraught (and also bored).  I will get zero days alone and am considering driving off into the sunset to maintain my sanity.  Gaaaaahhhh. This is my least favorite thing they do: revel in their own ignorance.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

On Israel and Hamas, Finally

From the Washington Post some time ago: 

"The decision to attack civilians and take hostages, as callous as it was, was likely designed to drive Israel to retaliate with such force that the world turns against the Israelis, Krause said."

Congratulations to Israel:  you played yourselves.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

For only the second time in my four decades of life, I will not be seeing my parents for Thanksgiving.  (The first time I was studying abroad in France.) This is due to an unfortunate convergence of commitments plus even more unfortunate family stuff plus an elderly dog (not mine). I should probably feel bad about it, but instead I'm buying chopped salad in a bag, roasting one turkey, and not worrying one single bit. As long as the statutory number of pies appear (one per human in attendance), my kids probably won't even notice.