Forging ahead on 46 WTF with 46 who is hitting the ground running

 January 25

did some stuff - Taco Bell lunch at the park - did some stuff - talked to jonas - beef tips w mashed potato for dinner and watched the Phantom with Billy Zane. 's all. Numbers below are from Sunday - I didn't have the energy to catch up.

World: 99,706,375 - 2,139,803 dead

US: 25,291,320 - 420,965 

Russia:

Texas: 2,268,758 - 35,090 dead

Florida: 1,658,169 - 25,446 dead

Sweden: 547,166 - 11,005 dead

 

 January 26-30

Tuesday went to the park and the store and I made pork chops for dinner. Wednesday I made stew with brisket and it was good and we had it for Thursday too. Spent much of the week working on our international students and getting some clarity on the new website and realized that in 2024 we may be headed for a really really bad time and that made me depressed. Wednesday or so I at least managed to write back to MW. We called Andrew on his birthday and he was sweet and proud and knows how to write and read. I had ordered two sweaters from J.Jill that arrived. One day I ordered some crispbread and grill chips and the day after it arrived. Weird.

Thursday night we figured out Jim was eligible to sign up through Baylor to take his vaccine and so I checked mychart too and it turned out I could make an appointment so Friday noon he went and Saturday at 5:15 I went (there at 5 and done by 5:07 then sat for a while to make sure I was okay). Before that we had lunch with Lauri at Fish City Grill and it was lovely to sit outside in the sunshine but it really was windy and there were too many people at the other tables. Salmon tacos were good, Old Fashioned not so good. Sade was a really nice waitress with lovely red hair. 

The shot - Checked at the door to see that was not sick and then temperature checked and then in line for a minute and then got checked in at booth 6 by a nice young woman who appreciated that I had filled my information in online and then the next line that took a minute and then booth 10 with a nice young man who gave me the shot and told me to follow the arrows in the floor to the waiting area. I took a picture and posted to Facebook in support of getting the shot and then left. Three hours later I am a little sore and that is all. 

Also checked the mailbox and there is a package probably from mom but more importantly from Homeland Security a notice they will use my old biometrics so I do not have to redo that and they are in the process of processing. It might really really happen. YAY.

January 31

talked to rachel and then annika and then annika again and then mom. I have a much better idea of what to say to L. and what I want (which also helps). Out late, sex, Fish n Fizz, campus for some pictures and then the grocery store for a cabbage stew thingy. Arm a bit more tender, but more raw then tender to the touch. 

T is worse - several tumors in the brain, so no radiation. It so fucking sucks and I am not sure what to say or send or do. Will have to think on that.

World: 102,926,497 - 2,227,003 dead

US: 26,180,411 - 441,302 

Russia:

Texas: 2,372,878 - 37,074 dead

Florida: 1,721,377 - 26,479 dead

Sweden: 566,957 - 11,591 dead

 

 

45 wtf is the week that rids us of 45

January 18

I dreamed that the GSA had an event and there were lots of people and I got to hug and talk to them all.

 

World: 95,045,802 - 2,030,842 dead

US: 23,936,773 - 397,600 

Russia: 3,530,379 - 64,601

Texas: 2,127,111 - 32,600 dead

Florida: 1,571,279 - 24,137 dead

Sweden: 523,486 - 10,323 dead 

January 19

still working on the international students and the graduating students and the students where the new people have opinions and on and on. First day of class and less stress, but also more loneliness. Gotta make everybody members on teams, gotta get the stats.

We hit 400,000 dead today and Potus 46 and VP mourned them publicly and beautifully. Maybe tomorrow gets to be a new day.

January 20-21 

Wednesday was inauguration and I spent most of the day in front of the TV and everybody survived and it was nice and funny and Amanda Gorman was amazing and there was Lady Gaga and JLo and beautiful and colorful outfits and a firefighter who signed and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the police who ran the mobsters in the wrong direction, Eugene Goodman, accompanied Harris. In the evening a lovely tribute to American and the everyday heroes and the music and art and creativity.

Thursday I did the food pantry and met Saleem and did the admin meeting from my office. Back home for two more meetings and then a Lewis and meatloaf. There are regular press briefings from the White House and Faucci is free to give information as he sees fit.

January 22-24

Went too quickly. Talked to mom a couple of times, including on Grays birthday on the 23. Email from Linda that was kinda stressful. Missed the fish on Friday so we went for Saturday lunch after we had taken five boxes for shredding. With dinner we watched an episode of Annika Bengtzon - crime detective that was kinda silly but it's always fun to see Stockholm. Milton on Sunday and then talked to Annika whose T is not doing well. He is dizzy and has tumors in the brain which means they pull him out of any trials and we don't know if he gets chemo or not and it just royally sucks.

World: 99,178,504 - 2,129,138 dead

US: 25,124,948 - 419,208 

Russia: 3,679,247 - 68,397

Texas: 2,250,421 - 34,911 dead

Florida: 1,649,449 - 25,293 dead

Sweden: 547,166 - 11,005 dead

Second week of the new year and we are at 44 WTF

 January 11

World: 90,260,468 - 1,934,784 dead

US: 22,404,484 - 374,322 dead

Russia:

Texas: 1,968,189 - 30,479 dead

Florida: 1,477,010 - 22,912 dead

Sweden: 489,471 - 9,433 dead 

I have nothing else - long day trying to get people readmitted, meeting with students and trying to get everything to hold still.

 

January 12

Impeachment procedures moving forward. T**** is devolving in front of our eyes, today in Texas near the border where he explained that the wall saved us from the evil mexicans. Last week's riots are turning out to be much worse than we thought, more violent with numerous seriously wounded police. Joint chiefs of staff felt the need to sign a joint statement that Biden won and will be inaugurated next week and that military forces would obey lawful orders. https://news.usni.org/2021/01/12/message-from-joint-chiefs-on-u-s-capitol-riot . 

January 13

Had a dream, which is unusual. Pleasantly disturbing, which is even more unusual. Trying to hold on to the moment, the staggering closeness, but like melting snow it is gone. Short lunch and then short dinner and worked until 11 pm to get the fact sheets done. Got them done and mostly caught up on the students coming in and getting registered or not, with holds or not. Aaagh. Listened to my music and got dizzy with being there but here.

January 14

4,000 dead daily - hospitals overrun, and we are used to it somehow. You decide you are not going to die this day and then you move on.

Jim was out and I got lunch from Panda Express. Ate in the park and got a short walk in. Admin meeting when we all pretend the world is normal in our little boxes. Made a chicken dinner that was not as appreciated as I hoped. Ah well.

It is getting clear the riot was organized, that people planned, and that right wing militias were in all four corners. The repubs have fed a monster and it will devour them if they don't take care. I will be much happier after Wednesday. It will still be hard, and there are risks, but they will have to regroup. 

There was something I wanted to make sure to write down --- oh, this morning. Jim teased me by holding out a pen or something and when I tried to take it he held back, did it several times and I just shut down. I went back to third grade when the kids in my class stole my jacket with the metal stars on it and held it out like that and after gym when I got back to the changing room they had taken all the studs out and I cried. I think I still wore the jacket after that, but there is so little I remember. I think that is what Louise was apologizing for at McDonalds ten years later. I wonder if that is why I have such a hard time really fighting for something I want, because I am afraid someone will take it from me on purpose and so I get by without, not looking vulnerable. So much of my life forged in that one moment and I didn't even know until this morning. 

January 15-17

Friday was work and a lot of it and finally done around six and then we had dinner and watched the first half of Fiddler on the Roof and Saturday we got up and went out and had McDonalds and breakfast in the park and i got a walk and then we tried to go to the Kimbell, but there were too many people there so we got food from Railhead and went home and watched the rest of Fiddler on the Roof and had dinner. It was a really good movie and touching to see what mormor's parents' life might have been like. 

World: 95,045,802 - 2,030,842 dead

US: 23,936,773 - 397,600 dead

Russia: 3,530,379 - 64,601

Texas: 2,127,111 - 32,600 dead

Florida: 1,571,279 - 24,137 dead

Sweden: 523,486 - 10,323 dead 

Sunday was Milton and the on-going confusion on whether it was God the father or God the son who punished Adam and Eve. Then working on beads for a while and out for lunch at in-n-out and a part of the book. A lovely walk at the Spring Creek part where we ran into David Channell and then Dennis and Matt. There was sex when we came home and then BBQ for dinner. Tried to get popcorn but the movie theater closed early. We did watch A Promising Young Woman and it was quite good and very powerful.  SO far, so good.

43, 43, WTF ... new year, same old stuff

 January 4, 2021

World: 85,653,549 - 1,853,133 dead

US: 20,815,571 - 353,133 dead

Russia:

Texas: 1,827,629 - 28,551 dead

Florida: 1,376,692 - 22,090 dead

Sweden: 437,379 - 8,727 dead

Got back to work and was confused most of the day. I think I can make myself focus better tomorrow - I hope so. Ben n them had lunch with Michael and Courtney yesterday and she tested positive this morning so we cancelled dinner, much to my regret. We did go by and drop the pies and I got to say hi to Cameron at the door. Tired and scared about politics and the runoff election and Wednesday and the threat of violence and the fucking phone call with clear evidence of sedition and the mutated virus and the crappy vaccination schedule and maybe I will never go to Sweden again and never see my mom again and it exhausts me. Jimmy Kimmel is taping his show from home again ....

January 5

Did finally manage to focus a bit and got the emails down and got some people taken care of. Tomorrow I will focus on the changes to the fact sheets, at least after I have participated in the Covid study. Watched the season finale of the Doctor and regained some faith. When she is ready to sacrifice everything she tells the others to "live great lives!" and that I took to heart. Maybe something to put on my gravestone. Yanno, something for folks to take with them. 

I think we are losing the runoff in Georgia, even if the predictions still say blue wins, and I hate to see it happen, for several reasons, including the work Abrams and others have done. Anyway, the fight continues. 

People keep dying and the hospitals are full.

January 6

went for my covid test and gave blood for some other tests too. Not sure what all they checked but that is fine. They will let me know if I am positive or have antibodies or have long term damage from something. Went to campus for a bit and left Tim Minchin for MW. On my way home I figured out the meeting with John and Alice was about to start, but they had done theirs earlier. He told me about Lillehammer - might watch that.

Worked and watched the election certification and then went back to work and Jim came in and told me the capitol was overrun with protestors, the president with Cruz and Hawley committed treason, and then I worked for a bit more and then I just couldn't. Watched TV nervously and thought McConnell and Pence acquitted themselves well. Made a necklace and earrings with brown agate and ended the evening with a Lewis, stomach ache and a fever. Jonas called so I got a bit of an update. Someone at work was unprofessionally lippy and is now gone.

 

January 7

several resignations and some mea culpas but so much too little and so very too late. Questions are being asked about the police response, the lack of national guard units and the cops taking selfies with the mob. Talked to mom for a bit. She is trying to keep track and is so engaged, but a little overwhelmed. I worked some in the middle of all of that, with my stomach still angry and fever coming and going. Bleah. Made the flank steak with bell peppers, onion and heated rice - went down really well. 

January 8

some productive work. Pelosi and others are working on impeachment - unless they can get T**** to resign or induce Pence to trigger the 25th amendment. T**** is banned from Twitter - whatever account he uses. He did at one point broadcast a video saying there will be an orderly transition, but apparently he is now regretting that. Thursday over 4,000 people died and Friday over 300,000 people got infected. Talked with Jonas a bit. Work stressful for him and the environment tough. Hope he finds something better.

January 9-10

Saturday we did some errands - like shredding boxes with the stuff we cleared out Friday night - and then we had lunch with Lauri at El Primo. Good food and service again, but several staff with masks only half on. Had coffee at her house and then got home and watched the Christmas Special Dr. Who. She figured out that she is her whoever she was - maybe we can hold on and hold ourself together maybe there is a there there. Hah! Slept badly and moved to the guest room because the bed was crowded and overheated.

Sunday was Milton and some confusion about whether it was God the father or God the son who chastised Adam and Eve in Eden - Milton says God the son .... weird. Jan's son Mats is getting divorced - doesn't sound too bitter about it, and will stay in the house so probably all good. 

Bits and bobs and updated teh SSEMWG website and did laundry and somehow it got late late. Still processing the insurrection.

World: 90,260,468 - 1,934,784 dead

US: 22,404,484 - 374,322 dead

Russia:

Texas: 1,968,189 - 30,479 dead

Florida: 1,477,010 - 22,912 dead

Sweden: 489,471 - 9,433 dead

WTF the fortysecond and the end of the blighted 2020 - alrighty then.

 December 28

Slow morning - talked to mom. Went to Chickfila for lunch and took it to the park - I got to walk part of the trail and it made me very happy. I guess it tells my body we are okay and moving and strong and there is no immediate danger to tackle so it lowers stress. When people talk about how they feel about jogging or hiking or riding or whatever it is they do it always out as if the feelings are external commentary, but they are an integral part of the experience. So it's not "doing that makes me happy" but rather "doing that IS happy". 

Set up appt for Jim to get tested and had to wait three hours for them to get back with us during which time I did laundry and we watched the beginning of an Inspector Lewis and then we waited for 45 minutes in the parking lot and he got tested and was negative. Made sausage and gravy and mashed potatoes for him and fried rice for me. That works.

World: 81,451,630 - 1,778,064 dead

US: 19,313,314 - 335,051 dead

Russia:

Texas: 1,700,850 - 27,038 dead

Florida: 1,280,177 - 21,308 dead

Sweden: 428,533 - 8,484 dead 

 

December 29

Talked to mom and Page and it was lovely. Got out late and went to the post office and then past Ben's to deliver gifts and then El Primo - amazing place with rooftop seating and great service and food. Finally put together the bowflex. Clear and comprehensive manual but it still took altogether three hours. Pulled my back - ah well. Put some Voltaren on - not sure if that was related to the nausea and dizziness that came and went.

Daily deathtoll in the US 3,628

December 30

Breakfast at McD and the park - it was raining, but still. Skipped lunch but did clean up some paperwork and went to Plano Municipal court for Jim's ticket that is now taken care of. Did 10 rounds of 90 seconds on the bowflex across the day - whoa.

 

December 31

Talked with Inger and then a long visit with mom who talked about the past and mormor and dad and lots ...... lunch at Fuel city and then we looked at lights and then it got late and on the way home Jonas and the kids called with mom and it was lovely and then I made Biff Greta and then we watched El Cid and then CRAIG doing the Dr Who song and then I fell in love again with my dearest. I believe, I will believe. In the triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism. So there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9P4SxtphJ4 . 

January 1-3

Well, I can't remember much of the details .... Friday I do not know much of what we did, but I made pancakes for breakfast and then we muddled about and I talked with David for an hour and then Jim talked with Kim for an hour and then maybe we went out for a little but I don't know. I may have vacuumed and watered plants. We had biff Greta again and watched something on television I don't remember. 

 

Saturday Jim went to meet with Cameron and I talked to mom again and she talked about religion and asked about what I would be if I had to pick one and I said judaism or buddhism and she agreed. I did beading for a while and was on the bowflex for a while and listened to my music and ported some of the playlists. Jim came home and we did fish and fizz and it was so good and then we saw They Call me Trinity. Surprisingly dirty and gritty (and funny at times), but otherwise unremarkable.

 

Sunday was Milton and I was not quite sharp and then Container Store and then Michaels and then McDonalds lunch at the park and I walked and it makes me so happy to be alive and strong and walk and fill my lungs with oxygen and see the people with their dogs and picnics and reading to their kids and playing and the trees and plants and LIFE. Then we went to Pie Emporium and got pies and there was a lot lot lot of people and I was a bit skittish because I want folks at LEAST 6 feet away, preferably 8 or 9. We stopped at Albertson's and then I had smoked salmon and brie for dinner and it was yummy. We were going to watch Dr Who's Christmas Special but figured out we had missed the three last episodes of season twelve so we watched the first one we had missed - about Mary and Percey Bysse Shelley. Beware Cybermen. Ended the evening with Craig interviewing Robin Williams.

World: 85,098,528 - 1,842,805 dead

US: 20,633,183 - 351,472 dead

Russia:

Texas: 1,810,320 - 28,430 dead

Florida: 1,365,436 - 21,987 dead

Sweden: 437,379 - 8,727 dead