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Daily things 5️⃣ Five Things Tuesday

1. Just got my email from ICMA telling me they approved my annual report. It's a lot to do, you can't just list what you did for career development you have to explain what you learned.
2. I-95 through the city has been slow for about 10 days now. It is unreal how many folks are traveling through here.
3. Received the draft compensation study and staffing results from our consultants. As hoped, on the whole we're pretty competitive for most positions.
4. Got my electronic paystub for payday on Friday. Lower withholding at both federal and state level so about 30 bucks more in the ole take home pay.
5. Here's wishing a healthy and prosperous 2026 to everyone on Cyburbia.
 
1) Several days this week the highs are approaching 70. Sounds great but the flu and allergies are both in full swing. In looking at the flu outbreak map, it makes me wonder how effective the flu vaccine was this year...
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2) Now that the final episode of Stranger Things has aired, it makes me wonder about the influence of this show on fashion of kids today. I finally watched an episode and realized that is exactly how my kids dress and style their hair. The second kid on the left looks exactly like my middle son.
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3) We realized that we need to get our oldest a car. This HS is not in a location that is walkable or bikeable to much of anything in terms of a job and we will not be taking every day off early to bring him from HS to a job. Having said that, it is slim pickings to accommodate all my wife's desires for safety features and be within our price range. Locally, this is it and I just learned the middle one is no longer available.
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4) Wife and I are talking about where we want to go for our 20th Wedding Anniversary in a little less than two years. Our goal is to travel to a couple places in this region. Does anyone have recommendations?
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5) I am not feeling it today. I pushed it hard yesterday at the gym and my allergies were not fun last night. I took medicine before bed and while my 'sleep' was not horrible, my recovery isn't good. My sleep was very broken, my HRV was low, and my skin temp was high. I have a night meeting tonight but it will be fairly low stress and I anticipate going to bed as soon as I get home.
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1 - tonight is the first full council meeting with the newbies & several items on the agenda are deliberately showing that they are (going to be) in charge
2 - went through 24 pages of legislative bills titles & pulled the land development related ones out to review (4 pages of titles)
3 - every day reinforces the direction & the decisions
4 - Happy Capitol Riot anniversary
5 - BBb.
 
1) Spent my morning dealing with Open Records Requests.

2) Didn't sleep well last night, so the amount of caffeine I've had today is way more than usual.

3) Burgers for dinner.

4) Long day tomorrow - evening plans.

5) I really want a nap.
 
1. Peanut butter M&Ms or Reese's pieces?
2. I'm cooking German food tonight. I need to be ready to feed grandkids tomorrow.
3. I try to keep my home humid enough for mandolins. It's a challenge.
4. I called my oldest friend the day my brother-in-law died. Her response - "really?" It hurt my feelings. I don't plan on calling her again.
5. I'm tired of happy light season.
 
1. Peanut M&Ms
2. What time is dinner? Love me some brats and kraut. I make a mean hot German potato salad.
3. Day off tomorrow for my 55th.
4. Brunch a local eatery,
5. Afternoon at the aquarium.
kms said:
1. Peanut butter M&Ms or Reese's pieces?
2. I'm cooking German food tonight. I need to be ready to feed grandkids tomorrow.
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1 - I only rode 4 miles because it was cold. I kept a speed of around 23 mph, played around with the different settings with the gears and pedal-assist levels
2 - going to be a heavy load week with 2 days of council workshops & other meetings lumped in - short week with no night meetings, but fully loaded otherwise
3 - mom has a printer that is around 14-15 years old & we've had problems with it lately - plus you can't buy ink cartridges in the store anymore (order from company only). mom asked Mrs. P to 'see if you can make it work again' for the 3rd or 4th time. we're going to buy her a new printer this weekend I believe
4 - one of the goalkeepers (& his girlfriend) for our minor league soccer team was killed by a drunk driver this past weekend
5 - yes to peanut butter m&ms.
 
1. I haven't stepped on a scale in months but the waistband says I'm putting on weight again.
2. It was 5 degrees out this morning -14 with windchill
3. even in super cold weather our foolish mutt sometimes expresses reluctance to come back inside when called
4. Foolish mutt
5. Two hours and 45 minutes to go....
 
My new tires are installed. I sent a text to my kids asking for a ride to the shop. No takers. Not happy.

My friends and I had a soup and board games afternoon. It was fun.

I'm enjoying sunshine through my window.

I have a trail board meeting tomorrow and a retreat on Saturday.

I may take a weekend trip if weather cooperates.
 
1) Already making changes to weekend plans because it'll be below freezing and there's strong possibility of wet stuff.

2) Have BOA this week.

3) No clue what I'm cooking for dinner, but the oven will most likely be on.

4) What's the chance of getting out of vacuuming this week?

5) Reese pieces are the way to go.
 
michaelskis said:
4) Wife and I are talking about where we want to go for our 20th Wedding Anniversary in a little less than two years. Our goal is to travel to a couple places in this region. Does anyone have recommendations?
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The Mrs. and I did the Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands Viking river cruise a few years ago. Very relaxing and no large crowds. Great food and staff. Cologne was the highlight for us. We will be doing Viking's Rome to Athens cruise next year.
 
dandy_warhol said:
I have ideas! What type of trip are you thinking of? Have you been to Europe? If so, where and did you like it?
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1) We have never been to Europe, but have always wanted to go. We love historic cities, new foods, and preferably a low risk of ending up in a foreign prison.

2) One of the former admin people in one of the divisions is angry at me. I did all my own forms and booked my own hotel and flight for NPC. Apparently the department admin should have done that and I should have waited until registration for the conference opened up. I am trying to get more and more of my staff to take responsibility and not be so reliant on administrative assistances for things. Right before I got here, we went from 5 (each division had at least one) to 1 for the whole department. Each division had their admins reclassified as technicians, and it is still a battle that I am fighting today. Oh well, I got great rates on the two biggest worries.

3) People are in full panic mode because of a potential snow storm this weekend. They predict between a half inch to three feet...

4) Bought my youngest basket ball shoes this weekend. We went to one place, we were the only customers in there, and it felt like the sales person was trying hard to not let us buy anything there. It was a store specifically for athletic shoes too!

5) Need to grab something quick for dinner tonight due to a night meeting followed by kids activities.
 
1. After a drought of work travel in 2025, this year is kicking off pretty soundly. Heading to Olympia, WA tomorrow, fly back Thursday, and then off to Los Angeles Friday night (mini weekend away before a conference on Monday).

2. Because of said travel, I needed to get rid of food in my apartment. Having my 2 sons for the last number of days helped in this endeavor.

3. Both my boys want a pet at my apartment (a cat, I wont get a dog without a yard).

4. A boat in our marina caught fire, destroying and sinking 2 other boats. Aside from building department processing forthcoming, this is not a problem for my desk.

5. Council tonight, I have nothing on the agenda... but next Council meeting is already up to 4 items from ComDev.
 
michaelskis said:
1) We have never been to Europe, but have always wanted to go. We love historic cities, new foods, and preferably a low risk of ending up in a foreign prison.
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1. Are you thinking you want to visit a few cities/regions or do you just want to stay put and chill?

2. I think the Prague, Vienna, Budapest area is a nice intro to Europe. Historic cities, easy public transportation, decent food options, speak enough English that you probably won't end up in jail.

3. The French or Italian Riviera is also a great place for amazing food, the beautiful Mediterranean, lots of sunshine, and some history. But it is pricier and you have to put up with French people.

4. Amsterdam and Paris could be a fun combo too. Amsterdam for history, food, culture, and the red light district 😉. Paris for romance, food, and history.

5. Greece and Albania could be fun too. Albania is the new Croatia for good food, cheaper prices, and lots of sun.

Bonus - A lot of people here also like to do a Spain and Morocco combo trip. Southern Spain is beautiful, though stay away from the trains at the moment. Morocco is exotic but you need the right tour company and you have to be okay with haggling and people trying to take advantage.
 
1 - back in the office today, but very quiet so far
2 - Mrs. P works for the school system offices and they'll go remote work for the rest of the week, then we'll see on Monday
3 - pizza, chicken and dumplings, chili, and veggie & beef soup were the dinners over the weekend weather
4 - the 'sledding hill' @ the park was very busy yesterday
5 - our friends cancelled their trip to Denmark in April.
 
1) I attempted to clear some of the snow/ice from my driveway... not going to happen. It is rock hard, even in areas that we have not driven.

2) Home office is not in place, so I have everything set up in the breakfast area next to a massive window and the sun is pouring in. It almost makes it feel like it is warm outside.

3) When I picked up the wife from work yesterday, I brought two Reese's Mini-cups for her since she had to go to work and I didn't. I think I will get her Hersey's Kisses for today.

4) 2 of the 3 boys have been out sledding. Not much of a hill near our house, but it is enough that they are having run. They already know they do not have school tomorrow and as I posted in another thread, I will be surprised if they have to go back this week.

5) Since it is Tuesday, I am making Tacos for dinner tonight.
 
1) It's snowing like heck outside at the moment. Not snowing like hell, mind you, merely snowing like heck.
2) That unfrozen pizza I had for lunch is sitting like lead in my stomach
3) the missus requested I make chana dal for dinner tonight. I'm really not in the mood for it but am overdue to make dinner this week.
4) Flannel sheets are warm and fuzzy
5) Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.
 
1. My town's PW crew keeps our streets very clear of snow, until this storm. A contractor is hauling snow in tri-axles. I don't know where they're taking it.

2. I have that gloppy, pre-cold feeling.

3. I don't tire of baking, but I only taste what I bake. My table has a few plates of muffins and scones.

4. I can't wait for warm weather.

5. I don't remember the last time I went to see a movie.
 
1. I am trying to sell 3 tickets to a Europa League soccer game this Thursday and nobody wants to buy them.

2. Our kitties are fighting and it is distressing.

3. Raining here tonight.

4. Trying to limit my chocolate intake.

5. Working on a new certification for my job. Got 6 more hrs of education and then can apply.
 
1. Approved for Detroit
2. Downtown looks a little bleak but likely better than the past.
3. Take passport for a trip into Windsor?
4. If the DRW make the playoffs, could be a game, but likely more than I'd want to spend.
5. Was she really "born and raised in South Detroit?"
 
1 - it's always interesting when you show up at a site where people are hauling 2x4s & 2x6s into the building & when you identify yourself as with the city and tell them no permits have been issued, everybody turns stupid
2 - oh the games the newbies are playing
3 - there are 4 birthdays in February in our extended family
4 - I wish I could've bought and used dandy's Europa tickets last week, I watched the highlights and it was a good match
5 - How can you tell she's a witch?
 
1. How the hell is it only Tuesday?
2. Our new team member is a real go-getter. Yay. 😐
3. Kitties are getting along slightly better.
4. I miss my old work bestie.
5. I got a compliment from my boss today, "She's cool. She likes concerts and sports!"
 
1) Calm in the office after last week's closings and cancellations.

2) Slept great last night! Need to know what I did differently so I can get that kind of sleep again.

3) I am so ready to adopt another dog . . .

4) I did not watch the Grammys. Did anyone?

5) I'm ready for warm weather, but it's playing hard to get.
 
1) Going to a local event to learn about the future of a development... and they have food and adult beverages.

2) People are loosing their minds regarding the weather and that the schools are now closed more than a week and a half. I almost want to get on social media and tell these people that if they have a problem with it, get a shovel and an icepick and go clear the parking lots, side walks and driveways.

3) I ordered a desk off amazon that was scheduled to be delivered last week. Box 2 of 2 arrived yesterday and Amazon checked it off as "Delivered". It would be great to get box 1 of 2...

Salmissra said:
4) I did not watch the Grammys. Did anyone?
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-No... I gave up watching a lot of those shows because it feels like they are in competition for who can be more outraged over politics or who can be more inappropriate with their clothing choices.

5) I didn't sleep well last night and my workout sucked this morning.
 
1. Post Malone was repping Utah at the Grammy's with the hat he wore during his performance.
2. Has a home here.
3. "A close friend of our Co-CEO and Founder, Todd Graves, (and a self-proclaimed Caniac) Posty personally requested a Raising Cane’s be built near his home in Midvale, UT and that he could custom design the location. Going above and beyond the average restaurant partnership, our Midvale Restaurant at 890 Fort Union Blvd underwent full-scale renovations including a redesign of our Dining Room, restrooms, building exterior and landscaping – all custom-designed with Post."
4. Real name is Austin Richard Post.
5. Raising Cane's sounds good for dinner.
 
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