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Daily things 5️⃣ Five Things Friday

1. The dust and crumbs from cheese Bugles is worse that Cheetos dust.
2 My coworker should wash his coat. I'm embarrassed for him.
3. I'm meeting friends for dinner tonight.
4. The rest of the weekend will be quiet.
5 I'm really enjoying learning to play mandolin.
 
kms said:
5 I'm really enjoying learning to play mandolin.
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1) I regret to inform you that I have completely fallen off the wagon. I type this as I sit at my desk eating a Steak Egg and Cheese Bagel from McDonalds. First time since pre-pandemic.
2) I have a less good feeling about moving up to an ACM anytime soon.
3) Received an e-mail from my health insurance company asking that I take a survey regarding their quality of service. Do they really want to hear that I am about to unload? I think not.
4) A business journal article that appears to have included a mis-quote where it referenced my city has caused way too much fuss. It would be phenominal if it was true, and maybe we can make it true, but it isn't at this time.
5) Something not good is going on. Several ambulances and a few cop cars just flew past City Hall.
 
It's sunny but freezing
I like my Hamilton Beach breakfast sandwich maker
I hate switching insurance plans because while both the old and new plans provide excellent coverage they work very differently
Next week my entire office staff has to come in on the same day, first time in nearly 3 years
I have a lot of medical appointments this month
 
1) Sooooooooooo glad January is over.

2) February is not off to a great start, but it's early yet.

3) My sister leaves today.:(

4) I'm in a bad place re: caring about work right now. I know it'll pass, but it makes it very difficult to get moving on projects.

5) Thank god for caring coworkers (see above).
 
1. Walked around the downtown project with an NCDOT newbie. He agreed with most of what we had pointed out that NCDOT had questioned. Unfortunately, I'm sure he going to ask questions to the old crusty guy that's training him when he gets back to his office.
2. Brother (& his dog) is coming to town this weekend.
3. Councilman dropped into the office this morning and asked if he could have 30 copies of information sheets. He has to speak to a civics class next week. Found the info, put them in the copier and sent him on his way. Those are easy and good interactions with the electeds.
4. The car repair showed up on the credit card statement this month - ouch!!!
5. Excited about the projects I have going on, but concerned I'll forget something.
 
michaelskis said:
1) I regret to inform you that I have completely fallen off the wagon. I type this as I sit at my desk eating a Steak Egg and Cheese Bagel from McDonalds. First time since pre-pandemic.
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I don't care what anybody says, but an egg mcmuffin is a little bit of heaven. Love their sausage and wish I could buy in the grocery store. There, I said it.

1. Done with winter...believe I've said that before.
2. 472" (39' 4") of snow at Alta this season so far. That is a great number.
3. Had good German food for lunch yesterday. Would not mind it again, today.
4. March Madness on the horizon - the time I will follow college basketball. Stopped following the NBA when Malone and Stockton retired.
5. Two months until The Masters.
 
1. I picked the wrong day to make some appointments that require me to leave the house.
2. Massage and haircut are worth it though.
3. Spent three days in the office this week and it actually felt...good?
3. The extroverted introvert curse of signing up for stuff and then regretting it when it's time to actually do it.
4. Take me away, spy balloon.
 
1. It's sunny but single digit temps
2. Had the morning off to go to a Dr. appt with Mrs. Maister
3. I typically will take an afternoon off before a morning but there's something to be said for taking half days off in the morning too
4. I can't WAIT for my seed order to arrive
5. I probably should go back and review my bucket list to see where I'm at
 
1) Dinner with assorted family tonight.

2) Long weekend = road trip!

3) Getting mom's affairs in order is a PITA. But I'm making my way through the list.

4) Ready for a snack. Girl Scout Cookies or Ice Cream?

5) Is it March yet?
 
1. Two at-home covid tests were negative.
2. In-office covid test positive.
3. First documented covid sickness.
4. Very mild symptoms - tiredness most noticeable.
5. Vax with boost - reasons why?
 
1. Convinced the CM my idea for a mural on the planning building was better than he was thinking
2. A 1902 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of the downtown is better than a selfie mural of an umbrella
3. Big dark rain cloud moving in from the west
4. Aunt now has hospice coming to the house & she's very happy she gets to stay in her home
5. Oh look it's 4:45 on a Friday - have a good weekend y'all!
 
1. Paid off Mrs. P car today - a full year early!
2. Kicking off a new downtown mural project today - big storms getting ready to roll through during it
3. Today I have a better understanding why people are annoyed by county building inspections
4. Next week is going to very busy, but hopefully productive
5. I need to find some gumption
 
1. Been great elk watching in the neighborhood this winter.
2. Contemplating dropping a good chunk of change to play golf next week at Copper Rock where it will be in the high 60s.
3. Breakfast thread has me planning on making biscuits and gravy on Saturday morning.
4. Don't want to but need to withdraw from one of my retirement accounts to redo a bathroom.
5. Listening to my music mix and INXS' The Stairs if a vastly underappreciated song.
 
1. I plan to make biscuits tomorrow because the milk is a little sour.
2. I planned a weekend getaway at the end of the month. I've been there before, but reading David McCullough's The Pioneers inspired this trip.
3. There are lots of reports of wires arcing during these winds.
4. Between having a cold and working on a proposal, this has been a long week.
5. Every time I looked out a particular window at work today, a Ford Bronco at a dealership tempted me to take a look at it. I resisted.
 
1. Argument with Mrs. Maister last night. No fun
2. Did not sleep well. Tired today
3. I wish I had some scrambled eggs and bacon
4. Meet with developer this morning to discuss why their hotel will not be getting a highway sign
5. It snowed 6 inches last night. I wasn't paying attention to weather forecasts so it came as a surprise to me this morning
 
1. Too many ideas for ways to improve work.
2. Craving Korean food.
3. Plane tickets are freaking expensive.
4. Just yelled at Hubby because he wants to take a nap.
5. Have to work tomorrow.
 
1) My office is freezing cold this morning. When the humidity his high outside, it effects the HVAC system. So, to address the issue I have a fleece vest from the ski resort that I worked at more than 25 years ago.
2) My breakfast consists of a protein shake and a protein bar. I started tracking what I ate about 6 months ago, and discovered that I was off on my macros if I wanted to continue to work out as hard as I was. So, now my goal is 1 gram per lb. of my target body weight with the majority coming at breakfast/lunch.
3) Over the past 10 days, I have learned that weighing options is an extremely heavy burden and that even no choice is a choice.
4) The PW director and I do not see eye to eye when it comes to City funded road projects. My expectation is that we do what we would tell a developer to do. His expectation is to do it as cost-efficiently as possible, leaving out things like curb, gutter, sidewalk, and panted medians.
5) I have to go to a student presentation at a local university today. They are using the City as case study and will be making recommendations.
 
1. We are in that in-between season where one day it looks like Spring is here, the next day not so much.
2. My "strategic director" is trying to micro-manage a project.
3. Now planning a Scotland trip in July with my brother.
4. No weekend plans...it feels odd.
5. Feel like I've turned a corner this year in terms of managing work/life balance and staying motivated.
 
michaelskis said:
4) The PW director and I do not see eye to eye when it comes to City funded road projects. My expectation is that we do what we would tell a developer to do. His expectation is to do it as cost-efficiently as possible, leaving out things like curb, gutter, sidewalk, and panted medians.
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That's so annoying isn't it? I run across that too in a lot of different areas. I'm like "we're the City, whatever we are doing should be the best it can be, not how cheap it can be.

1. The verdict is in from the dentist: antibiotics and then root canal Tuesday
2. Estimate is $875 after insurance. Ugh
3. Alternating Aleve and Tylenol is the trick which I started yesterday anyway. He said it's better than a narcotic. I'm like "what isn't?"
4. Missed employee breakfast but apparently the food ran out. The catering company blew it big time.
5. Going to Savannah for St. Paddy's Day. One of the biggest in the country. Figure I should experience it once at least since I'm here.
 
1. It has been a very long week.
2. On my team I have the fewest document rejections from the field director, 90% of the time I nail it on the first draft.
3. My right shoulder is in terrible pain, I think there is an inflamed tendon or bursa.
4. I did not sleep well.
5. I hope this day's workload remains light.
 
1. The Ford dealership next door is tempting me with Bronco sport models. So far, they parked a blue one and a green one outside the window.
2. My car loan is paid off and I don't plan to buy a new car. Plus, thanks to Covid, it has low mileage.
3. We're getting pizza for lunch today. People here seldom eat lunch together. I find that odd.
4. I'm going to a sound healing tomorrow. I find those relaxing.
5. Other than that, it's a slow weekend and I'm happy about that.
 
1 - FAU upset Tennessee last night - YA! Sitting back and enjoying the chaos
2 - Working tomorrow as a beer judge/steward for the awards at the upcoming local beer festival
3 - Last night was one of those great rare impromptu series of gathering of friends (which led to being very tired this morning)
4 - I have no idea what to eat for lunch today, I'm not craving anything & there's just the usual places
5 - Having a problem with some building owners not wanting to do much with their buildings. They pay their taxes but the buildings just sit.
 
1. Had a temporary loaner cat with us for the last week - what a character.
2. Now seriously thinking about getting a cat again, it's been 2 years since our last one passed.
3. Scotland trip in July looks to be firming up.
4. Looks like I managed to avoid catching the cold my wife had earlier this week.
5. Starting to get back outside for running; much nicer than the treadmill.
 
1) It's sunny and in the mid 80's here. There is also a distinctive haze flowing through the air thanks to the Maple, Oak, and Pine pollen.
2) I have been looking at adjustable desk sections. I have a big L and there is a small 24 by 28 section that I spend most of my time at. I might swap that out with an adjustable so I can stand when I have meetings.
3) The younger two kids start track out camp next week. They have a full month off because part of it is spring break. (Year-Round School)
4) We are having Barbeque for dinner tonight. The Boston Butt Pork Roast (*With Bone) has been in the instapot all day. I went home and broke it apart at lunch, made sure it was fully submerged, and it has been simmering ever since. Coleslaw, Mac and Cheese, and Potato Salad will be dished out with it.
5) We have two of our staff that are second generation municipal employees. One of which is the child of two former Planning Directors. There is something extremely reassuring about knowing that despite them being raised in an environment where they witnesses the trials and tribulations of government work, they decided to pursue it anyways.
 
1. This week has been nice weather to drive around with the sunroof & windows open listening to Mr. Buffett
2. Today it rains - Happy Friday
3. The next 7 months are going to be interesting here at the workplace
4. Took mom to an Asian place for dinner last night which she has wanted to do for the last couple weeks, unfortunately it did not agree with her
5. I was thinking about a carpentry joke, but didn't know if it wood work.
 
1. Back pain sucks
2. Experiencing back pain diminishes one's quality of life in oh so many ways.
3. Back pain constantly foists itself upon one's consciousness
4. Perhaps I should be grateful for the reminder that I'm alive
5. Nah, back pain sucks
 
1) Friday? Really? It feels like the middle of the week.

2) Cousin in town this weekend.

3) Need to dig into mom's paperwork some more - it seems neverending.

4) I want a nap.

5) Is it too early for wine?
 
Planit said:
5. I was thinking about a carpentry joke, but didn't know if it wood work.
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I "saw" what you did there.


1) It has rained off and on here today. When it is off, the sun comes out, the air smells fresh, and the sidewalk dries up quickly.
2) I put together a list of things that I would like to put in the next round of text amendments... then realized that we don't have the political support for them yet. So we will be doing several open-house style charettes that will be documented, and maybe even get some people on video talking about these things.
3) Wire management for an adjustable standing desk is very important.
4) When I eat lunch at my desk, I watch Planning related ted talks. (When I have time)
5) This is one of my favorite views of Chicago... the juxtaposition between buildings and lines are just so cool. I took this photo about a decade ago and the iPhone version turned out better than the DSLR version.
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1. Back pain does suck because it interferes with almost every aspect of life.
2. Itty Bitty now tries to get out of doing stuff by telling us her knees hurt.
3. She gets that from me.
4. But they really do hurt sometimes.
5. I wish I had a personal chef and maid.
 
1 - mowing the grass while listening to the B52s channel is great
2 - too much pollen was kicked up when I mowed & my throat feels it today
3 - Mrs. P's first attempt at making eggplant parmesan was very good
4 - The Girl got the paid internship for the summer that she was hoping for
5 - going through some budget pains, but it'll be okay.
 
1. I've got some gardening to do this weekend. Back pain be damned!
2. Two must do garden tasks include: planting potato bags and weeding the peas.
3. I'm fortunate family members have gotten me all the garden tools I'll ever need as gifts
4. Earworms have been a particular problem for me the past week or so
5. Haven't had any beer for one month as of today.
 
1) Looks like a soggy weekend here. Good thing the new ballpark has a roof!

2) I'm lagging behind on a couple of tasks.

3) Despite 2 cups of coffee, I still want a nap.

4) Talked to a former coworker last night. Man, I miss having friends at the office! Bonus: his wife and Hubby also got along, so double dating happened more than once.

5) I have enough to do other than office work that I don't know where to start.
 
1- sometimes I'm concerned about what's in hink's coffee in the morning
2- the new fridge was delivered this morning and it fit
3- Mrs. P didn't think it would fit even though I measured it
4- the fire department has an employee worked likes to detail cars - he detailed our planning vehicle yesterday
5- going on a day trip tomorrow with some friends that we don't get to see too often.
 
  • Still house hunting season for me
  • Two good house candidates on MLS today
  • Buy or continue renting decision time
  • End of the month
  • Going to an all day Missing Middle symposium at the University of Chicago on Monday
Anchorman GIF
 
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1) Need to tape up one more box and then it's more of mom's stuff off to auction!

2) Met an old friend last night. Had a great time - lost track of time. Tired this morning.

3) Need to get with dad re: phone bill. Won't be fun.

4) And mom's taxes.

5) I think I'll be drinking this weekend. In fact, I know I will.
 
1. Roots of Pacha is a good game. It's a stone age farming simulator
2. There are a half dozen radish seedlings that have sprouted in the salad raised bed garden
3. Looking forward to the end of physical therapy
4. I miss the smell of fresh newsprint, when you brought in a paper from the cold front doorstep
5. Got a 30th Anniversary coming up in June. I really don't know what to get.
 
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More signs of my totally debilitating short term memory loss, or worse yet, not recording the memory at all

All this has happened in the past 24 hours.

1. Left house keys in coat in City vehicle. Luckily, I forgot to lock the side door in the first place. Heh. This is the 6th time I have either forgot my house keys or phone just this year and all the other times I've had to drive back to work to get them. I now keep a spare key hidden under a rock.
2. Forgot bagel and cream cheese for lunch today. It was sitting right on the dining room table when I got home from work. This happens almost every day.
3. Left cell phone in work vehicle, even though I had just seen it on the seat minutes earlier.
4. Almost backed into a car in the library parking lot, even though I saw the car idling there seconds earlier. By the time I started to back out, that memory note had already had gone "POOF" in by brain. I was mere inches away from hitting it.
5. Something else today happened...but I already forgot :(


Like I said, it's not that I'm forgetting, I just never record the memory in the first place.
 
1 - The town's big spring festival is tomorrow, y'all c'mon
2 - I've got everything needed for the beer garden ready to go
3 - I know you are surprised that I'm in charge of the beer garden
4 - Gonna be a hot one so hopefully selling a lot of beer to the patrons
5 - All proceeds go to our Main Street dept and helping to improve downtown
 
1) City Employee Night at Baseball Game. Several employees that would normally go are not going because Council members will be there.
2) Weather is phenominal today, and I have been stuck inside all day.
3) To say I am burnt out is a serious understatement.
4) Like many other families, we will be spending Memorial Day Weekend at the coast.
5) Two of my kids want to be youtubers when they grow up.
 
1. I probably use my old school scale about once a week on average
2. was this close to thinking I was gonna have to replace my starter. Turns out the key fob battery was dying
3. I am so ready for it to be 5:00
4. I just need to get the bush beans sowed and the zucchini sowed and I'll be done with veggie planting
5. Sure wish there was some new and entertaining Star Wars series to watch
 
1) Have a presentation this afternoon - off-site at the ballpark. There's a game tonight.

2) No plans for the weekend except to buy more beer and wine, and do laundry. Going to be a total slug after the hectic but fun weekend in Vegas.

3) Some of mom's things sold quickly, while others are lingering. Oh well, at least they're out of my house.

4) I really want a nap.

5) I've got caladium sprouts! I don't remember which variety this is (I planted 3 types, two bulbs each), but it's pretty.
Caladium.jpg
 
1. I use my old school scale for model building, but not for work.
2. No real weekend plans
3. I need to make a lemon cake for my wife's birthday
4. We have been catsitting again, think we will definitely be getting a cat of our own again soon.
5. Said cat is snoozing next to me on my desk at the moment.

Pekoe2.jpg
 
1. Had mexican food for lunch today - ACP to be exact
2. I usually drink beer out of a standard pint glass, but I do use others on occasion too
3. The Girl started her research internship this week & we've gotten updates every day
4. Got to get caught up with Lasso episodes
5. Going to the Sunday afternoon MiLB baseball game this weekend - it's supposed to be beautiful weather.
 
1) Wife's hospital is short staffed with nurses, so her on-call schedule has been ridiculous lately.
2) Decided that I am going to stay where I am at. However, I have some seriously heavy lifting for some projects this fall. If everything gets approved, it could be phenominal but several developers might not be super happy about it.
3) I went full Keto a couple of weeks ago and it is going very well. Although I miss beer, pizza, and french fries the most.
4) Oldest wants to see the new Gradians of the Galaxy movie tomorrow.
5) I color-code the labels on my files based on topic. Blue is planning and projects, yellow is development, green is budget and finance, purple is research, and red is training.
 
Tranplanner said:
1. I use my old school scale for model building, but not for work.
2. No real weekend plans
3. I need to make a lemon cake for my wife's birthday
4. We have been catsitting again, think we will definitely be getting a cat of our own again soon.
5. Said cat is snoozing next to me on my desk at the moment.

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I'm normally not a cat person, but that's a cute kitty.
 
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