Microsoft Updates

So, at about 4 PM today, I inadvertently clicked on update and restart.  Oh well. I was not planning on doing anything on the computer for the next couple of hours.  Three hours later, I go back to the computer, and it is still updating.  It took almost 2 hours to update Microsoft.  I cannot tell what difference it has made.  It will remain to be seen.

Binge Watching TV

Okay, so I admit that I binge watch.  I started binge watching TV years ago, when I would stumble upon multiple weapons The West Wing.  I really liked The West Wing. 

So, now, I find myself binge watching Blue Bloods. I really like this TV show, and sometimes I watch the episodes new, sometimes I watch them on demand, and very often I binge watch, usually when I have something else to do on the computer.

Posture and Pain

I sat at my desk at work today, for a long time, hunched over, writing. I sat that way for too long, and when I stood up, realized it.  I took a quick break and a short walk.  I later went grocery shopping and I can still feel the lower back pain. I took some Aleve and put an analgesic patch on.  The next thing I am going to do is get on the elliptical and exercise for about 44 minutes.  (I am working up to 45 minutes, a day at a time, this week.) I know that will actually help.  I was ready to exercise about 45 minutes ago, but waited for the Aleve to kick in.

New England Patriot's Football

I do not watch a lot of professional football. Sometimes, I watch the New York Giants http://www.giants.com/, and even more frequently, I watch the New England Patriots http://www.patriots.com/. Tonight, I am watching the Patriots play the Houston Texans http://www.houstontexans.com/, a team for whom I have no affection, although I live in Texas.

The pundits before the game thought Houston would win. HMMM. It will be interesting who wins.

Conflict: Baseball

Tonight I am watching a play-off significant game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox (go Red Sox!) on ESPN http://mlb.mlb.com/home TV  http://mlb.mlb.com/home. The post-season play-off races are very tight this year, and ESPN announced tonight that they will televise the New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays game on Friday night, September 23,2016.  It will air at 6 PM CDT.  I can watch it!  Yeah.

Conflict.  Sometimes, Yankee games last longer than 3 hours, and at 9 PM Friday night, the season premier of Blue Bloods http://www.cbs.com/shows/blue_bloods/ will air. Well, that is okay.  I will watch baseball, and then if need be, view Blue Bloods on demand on Suddenlink. http://home.suddenlink.net/?inc=1.

A New Life Style

I will soon, after 39 years as a salaried social worker, be an "hourly" employee due to the change in the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act regulations https://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-flsa.htm?.  Because the base pay for my position is below the Federal guidelines for overtime pay upgrades, I am subject to the new overtime laws.  My employer saw fit to warn the 900 or so employees affected.  I have been "practicing" at working only 40 hours a week, and doing pretty good, except the week of Labor Day.  It was a 32 hour week, and I had an inordinate number of family calls. So I did work over 32 hours.  If it had been later in the year, and I had been under the 40 hour work limitation, I would have had to ask my supervisor for help with family calls.  But, as it was, I did not, although I did tell my boss about the influx of calls, and she agreed in the future I should have help in that circumstance.

So, I am now having to adjust to going home earlier than I have ever done before. I do not mind, but I am having to "find myself" in terms of what I want to do with that extra hour plus every day.  I find I am running errands during the week that I would normally defer to the weekend.  I like that. It frees up my weekend. I am not satisfied with my transition, and think I want to be more active outside, rather than hibernate to the house.

My cats have also had to adjust. They have been used to being fed when I get home from work, but getting home more than an hour earlier than I used to, it is not dinner time for them.  I often give them treats when I get home, but not dinner. They are getting used to me getting home and NOT feeding them.  This is good.

In many ways this is a very good adjustment in my life.  I just need to be more pro-active at taking advantage of it. 

Michelle Obama and Steven Cobert in the Blanket Fort

Most of the time, I like the Stephen Colbert Late Show on CBS.  He does a feature, called the blanket fort (didn't you have a blanket fort at sometime in your life, I did?)  Tonight, he was in the blanket fort with Michelle Obama https://www.facebook.com/colbertlateshow/videos/942804772530941/.  It was a wonderful piece.  Wow.  How can you beat it? 

Thank you Michelle Obama and Stephen Colbert.

Taco Tuesday

I had a hankering for a Fiesta Salad from Rosa's Café tonight.  I did not feel like cooking and I was hungry.  When I drove up to the restaurant, there was a line of cars in the drive through line, into the street!  I didn't want to wait, so I went to the Hong Kong and had seafood from their all you can eat buffet. On the way home, I went by Rosa's Café again.  The line was almost as long in the drive through line.  The parking lot had a few more cars than it had earlier. I could not believe it, then I realized that it was Taco Tuesday https://www.rosascafe.com/promotions. I will not crave a Rosa's Café salad again on a Tuesday!

Plumbing Woes

In late 2013 and early 2014, I was having a regular problem with my sewer line being clogged by roots, and backing up into the shower, the bathtub, and the floor in the little bathroom, from under the toilet. Every few months, I had to have the plumber in.  Sometimes, they did a good job, sometimes, not so good. So, after waiting all day for a plumber, who did the clean out job, the next time I had a problem, I used a chemical agent to kill the roots that were clogging my drain.  That was in 2014, before I had the little bathroom remodeled.  I have not had a problem since then, until this weekend.  I did not know I had a problem this weekend, until I got in the shower this morning, and saw the residue from the back up on the shower floor.  Yuck! 

Well, since the bathroom was remodeled, it makes sense that the toilet might not flood. But there was also back up in the tub. 

After work, I went to Home Depot and purchased some root killer  and put it in the sewer line, and ran water in the shower for about 10 minutes.  I had to go to the Catholic Charities Board meeting tonight, so I did not bother cleaning up the back up in the tub, or scrubbing the shower.  I will do that tomorrow night. The timing is good. The back ups seem to occur when I dump a lot of water in the drain, as when I run the dishwasher or do a load of laundry, both of which I did Sunday.  So, that gives the chemicals a week to work. And the chemicals are cheaper than a plumber, so even if I need to do a repeat treatment, it is cheaper than using a plumber.

Music

There was nothing I wanted to watch on TV tonight.  I usually have it on for the background noise, even if there is nothing I want to watch. That did not appeal to me tonight.  So, I opted for music. Not even my old favorites, something different. I do not listen to enough music.

I Choose Nice

A colleague wrote a piece on her Facebook about the lack of love and the abundance of divisiveness in our country.  This was my response:

"I am with you. Some time back, I made a decision that I want to be nice as much as I can. I am human, so I still get impatient, short temperamentally (I am already short physically), and frustrated. But, I try to be nice. That is a choice I have made. I get a lot of kudos for being nice (it is amazing to me who is watching.) I do not do it for the kudos, but I do appreciate being appreciated, and it feeds my desire to continue to be nice."

I am a work in progress, but I keep trying and trying and trying.  I had occasion tonight to refer to the fact that I am not a practicing Catholic. But, I am practicing at being nice. I hope that counts for something.

My Favorite Kind of BaseballI

I like baseball http://mlb.mlb.com/home. I mostly like to watch the Yankees and Red Sox games, but will also watch other teams.  I like the pace of the announcers' patter. I like the stories. I like the memories I have about baseball. I like the history.

This weekend, I have been able to watch the Yankees and the Red Sox play at Fenway Park.  It is a four game series, and the Red Sox won the first 2 games, although the Yankees were ahead in one game, and they lost it in the 9th inning.  Saturday, the Yankees were ahead until the 7th inning, and then the Red Sox went ahead.

Today, as I watch the game, the Yankees had a 4 run lead until the bottom of the 5th inning, then tied the game in the 6th inning.  This is the kind of baseball I like.  I like baseball when the games are close, and even go into overtime!  And the history of the Red Sox vs. Yankees rivalry includes a lot of come back games and extra innings games. 

The Red Sox are leading the America League East.  The Yankees are hoping against hope to be the second wild card team, to get into the play offs, although they have not had a stellar year. However, they have brought up some really talented new players from their farm system, and have revived the team, late in the season as it is. 

So, this is exciting.  I am happy to watch baseball tonight. 

Restless Cats

Tuesday afternoon, I took off work to get my phone fixed.  Because it had needed to be charged, I left it home that morning, and swung by my house on the way to Sprint https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=sprint locations in lubbock&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:4&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=33541709,-101898445,2467&tbm=lcl&rldimm=10685836465911700353 to to get the phone fixed.  The landscape people were at my house, mowing, edging, trimming, and making a lot of noise. When I went into my house, I was greeted by two unhappy cats.  Unhappy because they do not like the outside noise.  Taki, who has become my guard cat, was lying near the front door, ready to announce any intrusion (but not pounce; if the door is opened, she runs away!)

Well, when I returned home later in the afternoon, the landscapers were gone, and the cats were serene.

Tonight, about 45 minutes ago, a thunder storm blew in. It started with distant lightning, but the rain and close lightning and thunder followed. I do not believe that there has been any hail, but the winds have been very strong.  The cats are not happy. They have gathered round me, and are running and scampering and trying to find places where they are more comfortable.  This is typical thunderstorm behavior. Usually, eventually, Haiku gets into the cat carrier in the closet, and Taki lies in the very little hallway by the linen closet. Not so tonight. I am not sure what is different. But something is.  What do I know?

Food Trucks in Lubbock, Texas

Food trucks were not always legal in Lubbock, but since the city ordinances have changed, food trucks in Lubbock https://www.foodtrucksin.com/truck-search?from=Lubbock%2C+TX+&lat=&lng=&city=&state=&state_short=&name=&type= have blossomed.  Not only that but "Food Truck Fairs" have become very popular.  Sometimes, they just park in a lot or parking lot somewhere, and have a "fair" http://www.fox34.com/story/30284289/lubbocks-first-food-truck-fest. It is really strange.   But, one of the most popular past times in Lubbock is eating, so it makes sense!

The Cats and My New Schedule

So, in my prior post, I explained why I am required to change my work schedule.  I am only going to be allowed to work 40 hours a week, in the near future.  And I am practicing doing this now.  So, it means that I am arriving home from work an hour or more earlier than I have been accustomed to do for the last I don't know how many years.  This has the cats befuddled, worries, confused.  Because they are in the habit of being fed when I get home from work, I give them treats if they ask for them.  But the cats and I are having to learn how to adjust to this new schedule. 

The plus is, I feel like doing more chores around the house. The negative is, I feel at loose ends sometimes.  And I am at a loss how to help the cats adjust.  And, although it is just an hour, it makes the nights seem really, really long.

Well.  I can adjust. I have before, I will again.  And then, I will wonder why I spent so many years working overtime when I could have been on my own time!

Learning to Say "No"

I have spent a lot of my life struggling with learning to say "no."  Especially at work. For years, I have been lazy about my time management at work, because although I was only supposed to work 40 hours, no one cared if I worked overtime.  That gave me the luxury of doing extra things, finishing what I started without concern about time, and not feeling rushed.  But, it also meant that as one more task and one more task came my way, I just accepted the tasks and did them, even if it meant working overtime.

There has been a change in the Fair Labor Standards Act in regards to overtime https://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/final2016/.  This was interpreted at my place of employment in a way that effected about 900 employees.  I will be one of them.  Starting November 1, 2016, I will no longer be a salaried employee. I will be an hourly employee.  Although I earn over the amount set to be included in this new ruling, as do many of my co-workers, the base salary for my position is below the set amount.  

My place of employment has done some educational sessions to 1) assure us we were not being "devalued" as employees and 2) prepare us for the way our salary is paid, especially because this change starts November 1, 2016, and it will effect our pay checks at the holiday season.  This was highly stressed at the sessions.

My supervisor was very good about explaining the changes, and giving the message that we were not being devalued as employees.  Her comments were consistent with the message at the session I went to that was presented by Human Resources.  And, my supervisor was very clear that we HAD to comply with the 40 hour work week, and failure to do so would be a performance issue at evaluation time.

The good thing about this change process is that we were educated in August, for a change that will be implemented November 1, 2016.  So I have plenty of time to "practice" working only 40 hours a week. The practice includes learning how to adjust my schedule, and learning how to say this will have to wait until tomorrow, or later.  That is very difficult for me.  I mean, why would I make something wait until tomorrow, when I am perfectly capable and willing to do it today.  Except it means I will have to work overtime.

I have done this delaying tactic this week.  I do not feel comfortable doing it, but I can do it, and with practice, it will come easier to me.

But, in reality, my employer will be losing work from me. It will be my gain of more free time and my employers loss. 

Fix My Phone

I did not think I needed or even wanted a smart phone.  Since I have had the IPhone 6, I have become addicted to it.  I really appreciate the access to everything it offers me:  phone service, text, access to the Internet, maps, directions, applications for news, weather, sports, booklists, and games to name many of the things for which I use the IPhone. It was working just fine on Thursday.  Friday afternoon, it was not working right. I do not recall dropping the phone, or putting it in harm's way. I do not recall updating the operating system Thursday night, although I could have.  I think that last time I updated the system was some time ago ( a couple of weeks or more.) This afternoon, I saw an advertisement that the IOS 10  http://www.apple.com/ios/ios-10/ update affected IPhones in very much the way mine was affected, but it came out after mine was not working properly. However, in retrospect, I wonder if something else may have occurred.  I first noticed that my phone was not working when I was in Wal-Mart https://www.walmart.com.  The really unusual thing was that it was opened to the Wal-Mart application.  But, I do not know. I could have hit the Wal-Mart application accidentally. Anyway, I thought that was strange, because I did not recall opening the Wal-Mart application.  And then, the phone did not work perfectly, although I could still get Facebook notifications and texts.

I decided not to take it into Sprint to be repaired over the weekend. I have been at the Sprint service center on Saturday before: even with an appointment I had to wait about 2 hours.  I thought I might have the chance to go during the work day this week.  I dragged out my insurance papers, and went this afternoon. 

The young man who checked me in was very nice. He complimented the condition of the phone.  I have a Lifeproof cover, which is expensive, but obviously worth the price.  As the techician said, the Lifeproof cover is doing its job. He checked me in, took the Lifeproof cover off, had me sign off  Icloud, and told me to come back in about 2 and a half hours. He told me they would guarantee to save my contacts, videos and something else, but not photos or apps.  I was happy to know my contacts would be saved.  I do not have many photos on the phone, and I could reload the apps.

I did return as told. The phone was ready.  It had required a software reset, and everything was saved! A different technician signed me out.  And replaced the Lifeproof cover for me. And told me I would get a survey on customer service, and 9s and 10s were the level they were striving for.  I told him they would get a 10! 

Picante's

So, I went to one of my favorite restaurants Sunday.  Picante's http://www.picantestexas.com/ serves good Mexican food at a good price with good service. This time I had a "Daily Deal" from Lubbock Online http://lubbockonline.nimbledeals.com/deal/lubbock/.  I ordered "the usual" which is a shrimp relleno.  I also ordered a watermelon drink. That is very refreshing.

It was a good meal.  It satisfied my craving for chips and salsa, and for Mexican food.

Sully - The Movie

I went to see the movie Sully http://www.sully-movie.com/#home today. It is a story many if not most of us will remember:  A US Air plane from La Guardia Airport http://laguardiaairport.com/ is disabled by birds shortly after take off, and lands in the Hudson River. All 155 aboard, passengers and crew, were saved with serious injuries and hypothermia to just a few, even though this occurred in January 2009.

The movie focuses on the PTSD reaction of the pilot Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger who has nightmares about crashing the plane into buildings in New York City.  He and his co-pilot Jeff Skiles, who is similarly affected, by his reports, are questioned by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) http://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/default.aspx about their decisions.  It turns out the computer simulations indicated they could have safely return to La Guardia airport, or gone on to the Teterboro Airport http://www.teterboro-online.com/airport/. The suspense in the movie is about the conflict between the NTSB and the pilot and co-pilot. 

I cried during most of the movie. Sad, happy, relieved, honored, grateful.

This is a good movie to see. And teaches us a lesson about human beings. 

Jury Duty Cancelled!

Last June, I was served notice that I was scheduled for jury duty in July  https://www.co.lubbock.tx.us/department/division.php?fDD=11-59. The timing conflicted with a planned vacation so I took advantage of the opportunity to reschedule with no questions asked. I requested jury duty for the week of August 29.  I was assigned jury duty for the week of September 12.  I signed up on line.  Friday afternoon, I received an email and text message that the case was settled, and I do not need to report for jury duty.  I like the way Lubbock County has taken advantage of technology to run the jury pool.  This is good.

9/11

Tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of 9/11.  Ten years ago, I convinced one of my book clubs at the time to read The Day the World Came to Town https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/148775.The_Day_the_World_Came_to_Town.  This is the story of the plane people who were diverted from New York City to Gander, Newfoundland, when the twin towers were demolished. If you have not read it, please do. It is a good story.

In Lubbock, flags are flown in Kastman Park http://www.kcbd.com/slideshow?widgetid188602 every year to commemorate those lost and the first responders who worked and lost their lives, too.

This year, we have been asked to do another commemoration:  To honor the first responders, and all military who serve to protect this country, an ex-Marine, Benny Guerrero is asking us to turn on our porch lights Saturday sunset to Monday morning as a show of support http://www.kcbd.com/story/33061984/turn-on-your-porch-light-to-honor-first-responders-this-weekend. 

I plan to do this. What are you going to do?

A Nice Trip to Albuquerque

A friend and I went to Albuquerque for a quick Labor Day weekend trip. It was a nice trip. We had lunch at http://www.clinescorners.com/index.html.  It was a good, greasy spoon diner lunch. Yummm.

We stayed at the Nativo Lodge http://www.nativolodge.com/.  It was on the one hand, just another hotel. On the other hand, it was decorated with Native American art, had a beautiful lobby, and staff who were dedicated to ensuring the guests were well tended to. It was a nice place to stay, and not inconvenient to the museums and activities we planned to attend. And the price was right.

We went to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center http://www.indianpueblo.org/.  This was an amazing experience that explained about the Pueblo Culture, the interference of the Anglo Culture, and how the Pueblos are working to reclaim their culture. This was really fascinating to me.

We went to Old Town http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/travel-tools/neighborhoods/historic-old-town/, and went shopping and had dinner at the Church Street Café https://www.churchstreetcafe.com/. The food was good. 

We also went to the Biopark Zoo, Aquarium, and took the train rides through the Botanical Gardens http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark.  This was an all day event, and was so interesting and enjoyable.

It was a good weekend trip. My travel companion was easy to be with. The activities were great.  It was a nice Labor Day Weekend trip.

The Community Engagement Task Force

I went to the Community Engagement Task Force meeting tonight http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2016-09-01/lubbock-mayor-police-chief-face-tough-questions-community-forum#.V8j19o-cFxI.  I met some nice people, saw a few people I know, and listened to the comments of others. I made no comment.  I was just honored to be able to participate in such a forum. I want to watch for more.

Floating Dumpsters!

This is what happens when it floods in Lubbock, Texas.  https://www.facebook.com/jeff.hannon.984/videos/679452092218129/

Why does this happen?  Lack of planning.  Because we do not get rain often, developers evidently are not required to put any plans in place for major rain events.  Major rain events, mind you are not necessarily even 6 or 7 inches of rain, but in the current situations many days of heavy rains (even 2-3 inches) that saturates the ground so now the rain has no where to go! 

Is this good city planning?  I think not!