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Daily things 5️⃣ Five Things Tuesday

1 - it's wet here, just like yesterday
2 - the new PW Director & I are finding things the old PW Director did not do before he left
3 - the phishing email from "AmExp" looked real except for one detail - double checked with American Express & it was a scam
4 - good friends are vacationing in Croatia & they keep sending pictures back
5 - as a Villa fan, I did not enjoy the last day of matches in the EPL.
 
1) Since Friday was swamped, I waited until Saturday morning to get my allergy shot. Unfortunately, I drove 20 minutes to discover they were closed on Friday - Monday. So guess what I get to do today... (Normally they have Saturday hours).
2) I have been exploring more ways to use AI.
3) My oldest is dating a girl from Japan who just moved here in January.
4) Pondering my future investments. I predict a financial collapse before I retire.
5) The new TV format angers me when it comes to Hockey. I can watch some games, but not others.
 
Mary Lou Retton was charged with DUI in her home state.

This is another cool, gloomy May Day.

I had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend. How about you?

I haven't taken many bike rides this year.

I'm taking a long weekend road trip in a few weeks. The thing is, I've been working away from home from home and really don't want to go anywhere.
 
Yeah, you need 3 or 4 subscriptions to see everything. Even in the playoffs I think you need two or three.

ABC/ESPN+ for Western Conference

TNT for Eastern Conference. It upsets me because they are in a partnership with Max (formally and soon to be HBO), and we have that, but that is not good enough.
 
1 - it's called 'the Awful Waffle' for a reason
2 - had a chance to go to a Club World Cup match today, but the 100+ degree weather made it a no-go
3 - it will be a very lethargic match too
4 - need to focus on finishing the RFP I'm sending out soon
5 - sometimes it's easier writing at home instead of in the office.
 
  • It's about 100º here.
  • Remembering working outside in 30º windy weather helps me appreciate today.
  • I was almost hit in a crosswalk the other day. As soon as the woman made it through the intersection, the police officer, who was behind her, pulled her over.
  • Our bike ride event tonight is now a dinner event.
  • It's too hot to eat much.
 
1. Get
2. Your
3. PSA
4. Checked
5. Now

Just had a checkup yesterday and blood work came back with a 1.1 PSA, which was the same as 2012. Good result as my dad and a brother had prostate cancer. Get checked, gentleman.

And you ladies do what you need to do.
 
1) Still on the dole (laid off in April)

2) Several interviews - zoom, phone and in person

3) A couple of rejection letters for positions that were, quite frankly, a reach

4) Dad has some new medical issues, so I'm staying busy with getting him taken care of

5) Overall, ready to get back to work
 
1) It stormed hard here last night. No wind, but a ton of lighting. It was a good hour that it sounded like a war zone outside.
2) The more that I dig into some of the stuff the past, it is amazing how much of a good-ole-boys club the development world was here. I don't blame staff, but there was some stuff that happened that I am trying to figure out why anyone would agree do it.
3) Took a call last week from two people about a job opportunity. It would be a hell of a move up and if things were not amazing here, I would have jumped at the chance. That gig has a lot of challenges, but so much upside potential too.
4) My middle son likes sushi. As a kid with Autism, this is amazing that he even wanted to try it.
5) I got 9 e-mails in 30 seconds. I hope this is not how the rest of my day will go.
 
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1. It's raining with occasional thunder. The day is dark and the rain sounds so soothing that I'd like to nap all afternoon. I'm working at home, which makes it more tempting.
2. I like and trust my mechanic, but he isn't returning my calls. It may be time to move on.
3. Sometimes, while I'm eating chocolate chips from the bag, or doing other things I won't do out of my house, I hope that I don't keel over dead mid activity.
4. I had pizza rolls for lunch. I don’t know when I last had them. I like them as much today as I ever did.
5. I go a diner in town. One of the former waitresses invited us to her grad party. Many guests were also customers of the diner and know each other because of the diner. They treat customers well and have created a nice little community.
 
1) Dad's procedure went well yesterday. Had him home in his recliner for the early news.

2) Cooking with the crockpot today. I realized I use it at least once a week.

3) I have 2 crockpots, one large and the other small. I use the big one a lot more than the smaller one.

4) We need new ceiling fans in a couple of rooms. I've added them to the when-I-get-a-job to-do list.

5) We had a few minutes of rain last night.
 
1 - afternoon showers are very spotty here, but when you're in them, they're very heavy
2 - had lunch with Mrs. P & mom at the downtown breakfast/lunch place - it's always busy
3 - a golf buddy (among other things) passed away in the spring - I received a couple of his clubs this past weekend
4 - still contemplating getting an e-bike
5 - I'm going to enjoy sitting in the lake on Friday.
 
1. Rewatching Drew Carey show episodes.
2. A/C is very sparse in Germany. We are cooking!
3. One of the kittens loves to play fetch.
4. I am dehydrated.
5. Ryan Stiles is funny.
 
1) We have family coming to visit this weekend
2) I pushed it a little too hard at the gym this morning and I am already feeling it.
3) This old house has had an hour long podcast show that they launched in March... and I just learned about it.
4) Youngest thinks he wants to be a General Contractor when he grows up. Or a "Builder" as he calls it. He is the one who helps me the most in the shop, so I could see it lasting.
5) I have a presentation to a group of realtors again. This is number 6 since I have been here.
 
1. First time cellulitis experience.
2. Arm getting better.
3. Hot flashes but no fever.
4. Clothing brushes arm and itches like crazy.
5. Small blood clot but doc not worried.
 
1) ^^Whoa - that sounds miserable!

2) Interview next week!

3) Watching the Tour de France. Don't get the chance when I'm employed.

4) Lots of leftovers to use up. Cooked 4 chicken breasts in the crockpot and have strips, shredded, and diced chicken to play with.

5) Hubby is in a bad mood. :(
 
1. We have two crock pots, one of which is slightly larger (holds 1 qt more). We occasionally use both crock pots at the same time to make two different batches of soup; one to eat and one to freeze
2. I never had such an easy time getting in and out of parking for fireworks on the 4th as I did this year. I plan to scoop the same spot next year
3. Both of my in-laws' health have really hit the skids in recent months......
4. I could use a day of me just staying home dicking around playing computer games all day
5. Junior turned 20 yesterday
 
1. I would like to experience more Tahini meals.
2. I could use a day at home just dicking around watching reruns of old comfy tv shows.
3. I miss flipping through TV channels.
4. I miss Saturday morning cartoons.
5. I miss playing in the creek and building dams and catching crayfish and having a summer void of pressure and commitments.
 
1. There is a pair of Pileated woodpeckers in the undeveloped lot next door. They are very active and it's been awesome to be able to watch them regularly.
2. I am scheming like crazy to try and figure out a way to purchase the lot next door. It isn't for sale but I want to try.
3. All arrangements made to visit Maine again this year in October.
4. There was a time when I loved reviewing RFPs and RFQs. It is no longer that time.
5. I really miss Jimmy Buffett.
 
1 - need to finish writing my RFP (MD, you wanna review it)
2 - we had a groundhog on the deck this weekend
3 - was told our new planning vehicle was delivered to the city garage & we should get it Monday
4 - helping HR write a city engineer position job description
5 - looks like Mrs. P has a job offer.
 
I forgot to bring in a bag of peanuts the other night. A big raccoon found them and left a mess of empty shells on the table and the porch.

There was a bad construction accident down the street. One person didn't survive. News helicopters are hovering around.

The hazard of working at home. People knock on the door and I answer it. Sometimes they stay too long.

I reserved a cabin at a state park for a week next month. There's a Bluegrass Festival there at the end of that week.

Bike ride tonight. Thankfully, it won't be too hot.
 
1) City Council meeting was 10 minutes last night. Consent agenda had almost all the items. It was a new record.

2) Looking forward to tomorrow when we get to see which firms are submitted for our comp plan.

3) Received a text message from a foreign country regarding unpaid freeway tolls in Michigan and that the DMV is going to come arrest me if I don't get this paid right away. I asked them to meet me at the police station and that I will just turn myself in. They never replied.

4) There is a paint color at a model home that I really like. I am going to get a sample of it to see if we like it in our house. Wife was not too sure and said that it looked very dated, which surprised me. https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/color/color-family/white-paint-colors/sw7049-nuance (Nuance SW 7049 | White Paint Colors | Sherwin-Williams)

5) I made a brisket for dinner on Saturday. It was by far the best brisket that I have ever done. Looks like I found my process!
 
1 - we have council tonight & there's a short agenda - just hoping the one doesn't hijack it or too many public comments
2 - the engineer/developer whose project was denied & then sued us has now filed to run for city council - a revenge candidate
3 - my mom has received those toll scam text & freaked her out - she doesn't own a car anymore & told her to delete it
4 - getting a ton of permitting software solicitation calls lately
5 - Mrs. P started her new job yesterday after her forced practice retirement but she doesn't like getting up @ 5:45
 
2 - the engineer/developer whose project was denied & then sued us has now filed to run for city council - a revenge candidate
I had one of those who was able to get elected when I was up north. He didn't like that the HDC denied some things that he wanted to do with his house. Once elected, he would regularly make motions to fire me. The rest of the board members ignored him and it never got a second.
 
1. Made a mistake on a preliminary review
2. Final review is now in and the mistake was the first item I noticed
3. I blame my brain fog
4. Sick feeling for the last 5 days
5. Neuro issues really make me want to retire in two with a buyout of my last year - fingers crossed.
 
1) Brain is full of prep for tomorrow's interview.

2) Just got the formal rejection email for a position I applied to in April. No interview, no nothing - 3 months of silence and rejection.

3) In-laws want to visit this weekend.

4) Dad is having a procedure tomorrow. Fingers crossed please!

5) Rest day for the TdF. While I enjoy watching the racing, the scenery is a big plus!
 
3) Received a text message from a foreign country regarding unpaid freeway tolls in Michigan and that the DMV is going to come arrest me if I don't get this paid right away. I asked them to meet me at the police station and that I will just turn myself in. They never replied.
1. I get that all the time claiming ADOT is going to get me for unpaid tolls. Should I mention ADOT is proud not to have any toll roads in the state.
2. Going to get the daughter from the airport. She has learned San Franscico is expensive.
3. Working on my switch over in job positions.
4. Turns out the big shuffle in jobs was because some other guy couldn't handle the stress of his position.
5. I like being in limbo between two managers that don't have time to figure out what I need to do.
 
1. Made a mistake on a preliminary review
2. Final review is now in and the mistake was the first item I noticed
3. I blame my brain fog
4. Sick feeling for the last 5 days
5. Neuro issues really make me want to retire in two with a buyout of my last year - fingers crossed.

Follow up...there was discussion, which I was not part of, to alter design. Would have been nice to know before I went through all the stress.
 
1 - the weatherman has promised lower temperatures for the weekend
2 - I have a Leroy set, a planometer & a rapidiograph set all original in their own boxes
3 - not been able to get into the baseball season this year - a few local MiLB games, but not followed MLB at all (except to know the Braves suck)
4 - text messages are coming in asking if I want to sell my property on the coast - I don't own land on the coast & it's sent to some named George
5 - truck battery won't hold a charge - time for a new battery I reckon
 
1) Spent the day with dad doing medical visits and a fun-filled hour at the SSA.

2) Took a book that sis recommended. It's off to a good start.

3) It's hot. Not as hot as it's been before, but still hot.

4) I cleaned out/organized/figured out WTF was in the bedside tables of all the bedrooms yesterday. It's amazing what you find, some of which was just stuck in a random drawer when we moved in.

5) More dad stuff later this week. Getting old isn't for sissies.
 
1. The amount of rain we've had this summer is unreal.
2. The State School Board just minutes ago voted to take over the county school district. It's years too late. The situation is absolutely disgraceful.
3. Why do movies always act like digging a hole is no big deal? It is. It's hard. Real hard. And time consuming.
4. The AC in this part of the building is not working well. It's currently 81 and climbing with about 90 percent humidity inside.
5. 9 firms responded to RFP for Comp Plan. We're going to interview three of them. Some new players which is nice.
 
1 - enjoying the cooler weather at this time over the 100 degree stuff we had a week ago
2 - toured 2 former mills this morning, ceilings collapsing and both very damp and moldy but glad to hear about the redevelopment plans
3 - seeing an over-reliance on AI in some materials
4 - wondering how heavy AI presence will be in responses to our RFP
5 - council meeting agenda is short but I'm sure there will be several 'comments from the public'
 
1. Wedding was Saturday and son and DiL are on their honeymoon.
2. "Money dance" was new to me but I did have cash.
3. Cleared quite a bit of money.
4. DiL's dad (Tongan) bought three live pigs and had to butcher.
5. Mrs. STTG did not cry and that surprised me.
 
1. Wasn't Mary Lou Retton known for being: 1) On Olympic gymnast 2) being really short and 3) absurdly cheerful?
2. Feels like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop
3. Important realizations about the significance of life are lost to us through our tendency to be perpetually distracted by random minutia
4. Hats; people don't wear them like they used to
5. Who knows what the future holds. The only thing we know is it probably won't be like we expect.
 
1. Wasn't Mary Lou Retton known for being: 1) On Olympic gymnast 2) being really short and 3) absurdly cheerful?
2. Feels like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop
3. Important realizations about the significance of life are lost to us through our tendency to be perpetually distracted by random minutia
4. Hats; people don't wear them like they used to
5. Who knows what the future holds. The only thing we know is it probably won't be like we expect.
1. Must have been the alcohol
2. Life, in general.
3. Oh, look! A squirrel!
4. No. Also Europeans mock US travelers for wearing "ball caps" but I've witnessed countless European travelers to the US go home with a Yankees ball cap. Clothing styles change over the years.
5. Where are my Jetsons/flying cars, cities on Mars, instant food creation, 2000 MPH vacuum tube trains? Looking at you, Popular Mechanics magazine.
 
1) I would participate in more men wearing quality hats on regular occasions. On weekends I can be found wearing a ball cap.
2) I have been on hold for 15 minutes to find out where a Butcher Box subscription is. It is a week late and by now the meat is bad, but it still hasn't arrived. (Update... they finally answered and will be sending a new box)
3) Last nights meeting was way smoother than I anticipated.
4) Reading "Let Them" by Mel Robbins was really good for me. I also didn't realize that she grew up in West Michigan until reading that book.
5) Looking forward to doing Christmas in Chicago this winter.
 
1 - last night's meeting was a bear, but still was 'better' than expected & the proposed project has become election fodder too, unfortunately
2 - people don't realize what they're trying to do isn't in their best interests
3 - I keep getting solicitation emails for HR related consulting and software - at one point I relied "this isn't HR & if you can't figure that out by minimal client research, you should not be in business'
4 - speaking of HR, it's evaluation time & it's nice we have 2 months to complete them
5 - our new work vehicle is nice.
 
1. I want to be a Wild Pantanal Jaguar in the next life.

2. Sometimes, I wish I was a wild Jaguar in this life.

3. Although their bodies cant fully digest them, Jaguar's often munch on plants as it provides them dietary fiber. They especially like Yage leaves, which are extant in the Brazilian wetlands and are thought to induce psychedelic experiences in Big Cats, much as it can in humans when turned into ayahuasca.

4. A new Jaguar was just spotted in Arizona!
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2025/08/11/jaguar-arizona-sighting/85607690007/ (A jaguar was spotted in Arizona. Here's what to know about the elusive big cat)

5. Jaguars are not domestic cats. It is not recommended to try and pet a fully alert Jaguar.
 
1 - new jaguar

1755021947599.png


2 -old puma
1755021996758.png


3 - great cougar
1755022048162.png


4 - classic tiger
1755022114589.png


5 - leopard roadster
1755022250123.png
 
1) Took dad to the dentist to replace a filling that the dentist described as "older than her".

2) He had a milkshake for lunch, since he was still numbed up.

3) While there, confirmed insurance coverage and scheduled an appointment for myself.

4) Going to take a "day off" tomorrow and read the 2 new books I got.

5) While the triple digits aren't as prevalent this year, it's still hot and humid here. Thanks be for AC!
 
1. Had a super yummy dinner!
2. I think Vietnamese food is my favorite cuisine.
3. Italian is probably my second favorite cuisine.
4. But French cuisine has my favorite desserts.
5. Watching Serenity in Deutsch.
 
1. My father is 89 today
2. My mother had her 89th 10 days ago
3. 1936 is a long time ago
4. My parents were my current age in 1990
5. Youth is wasted on the young
 
1. I've had an unexplainable childlike obsession with Jaguars since maybe January. Before that, it was Bobcats for like 3 years.
2. When developers reps and other agency people come find me in bars and try and talk business, I start talking about Jaguars.
3. I should stop posting so much about Jaguars
4. I would never own a British car, as much as I love British music
5. I continue to get good feedback from colleagues and am leaving my mark in WNY
 
1. leftover meatloaf for dinner. Don't know why I'm not more excited
2. What this board really could use is more jaguar-related content
3. I would love to have a Boston Cooler. I friend told me Vernors made a 'Boston Cooler' flavor pop....but it's not good
4. My current computer game obsession is with Clanfolk. It's a typical 12th Century Scottish clan resource management game
5. I think the most quintessential rock song of all time is 'Born to be Wild' by Steppenwolf. It ticks all the necessary rock and roll boxes
 
1) A meeting with a development broker was funny today. He was flabbergasted that I would not fold to his demands and that I would just tell him the way it is.
2) I am going to a home football game this weekend. I think it is going to be a lot of fun to cheer on the hometown team. Last place I worked at was part of a county school system and used a regional approach... and no one supported them.
3) I once watched a Jaguar kill and eat something... I don't recall. It was on the nature channel.
4) Wife and I decided we want to cabinets for our kitchen. It was right after our oldest closed a large drawer that then fell off its tracks. I would love to keep the marble countertops, wife isn't sure if she likes them. I have this feeling that we will end up having to replace them anyways.
5) I think that Bob Seger is really underrated for his contribution to Rock and Roll, and even music as a whole.
 
1 - the yellow metal boxes on wheels are back on the road here
2 - for some reason I keep thinking its Wednesday (but it's not)
3 - we're going to try (again) to do a couple cereal nights for dinner - last time we tried all we had in the fridge was soy milk & almond milk & that didn't work for me
4 - golfed with my brother & the course was very wet - the ball plugged in the fairway multiple times so we played "presidential rules"
5 - it's not even Labor Day & the personal attacks in this stupid season are getting very mean.
 
1. New hire in another dept. kicked me out of my office - I was on their side due to lack of office space
2. Now in a cubicle with no privacy and 5-foot walls
3. Highly trafficked location
4. No room for stand up desk
5. Make the best of the situation
 
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