Evie Day 662

Good morning, and welcome to my first full-time working day of 2025. Today is January 6, 2025. I almost want to call it “Insurrection Day”.

Today will be a good day not to watch the news other than the weather.

We received about 16 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday. It started Saturday afternoon with sleet, which ended up creating about a 1/4″ of ice, followed by the snow.

I went back into the sunroom first thing this morning and started up my little space heater to warm up my office. I have a security course starting at 9:00 AM Central Time. I also have some emails to crank out this morning, as it is a full work day. It’s funny. I took time off over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday break. The first week I was messed up with a pinched nerve in my back, and then the week of New Year’s, I was focused on that dreaded certification exam that did not go as well as expected – I got very close, but still came up a little short. I’ve already rescheduled my next attempt.

Other than the weather, the weekend was pretty uneventful. Lisa, Dane, and I went in Saturday morning and met Gracie and Evelyn for breakfast at First Watch. We picked up a few supplies to prepare for the coming storm, and then we tried to relax a little bit.

Relaxing is something I can’t do right now. I’m worried about some changes on the horizon with the economy and my work. My employer tends to react quickly based on real and perceived economic changes, and like many large businesses, they lay folks off. I worry that it could happen to me. That doesn’t do much to help my anxiety, let me tell ya.

OK, time for me to focus on what comes next today.

Coffee… breakfast… water… morning meds.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 659

Good morning, and a happy Friday to you all. Today is 3 January 2025.

It might be my last relaxed Friday for a while.

It’s my last day of vacation, and after the last few days, I will relax. I spent most of the last three or four days preparing for yesterday’s certification exam (cue Don Adams: “Missed it by that much”). Today, I’m going to have a little “me” time before I head into the weekend with family and back to work on Monday teaching a security course.

I’m starting with a little writing, and then I’ll make a pot of coffee and contemplate the day. It will be a day of escapism from one perspective or the other. It’ll be more of a vacation from the things that weigh me down, and I’ll get back to working on them tomorrow… it’s not procrastination, it’s mental health.

I’m going to move on with my day.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 658

Good morning, and happy New Year to you all. Today is Thursday, 2 January 2025.

I slept in yesterday after staying up late on Tuesday.

Some of you have read my posts before, and some of you may not have. I keep track of the days I have lived and the days my granddaughter has been alive. The average person lives to be about 28500 days old, so if I’m average, that leaves me about 6,111 days on this mortal plane.

I’ve had a good couple of days. All of the kids went out for NYE, and Lisa and I stayed home. We aren’t big New Year’s Eve people as our first child was born on December 31, 1996, and since then the focus has been on Bonnie’s Birthday rather than other social activities. Now she’s 28, and doing her own thing with her own friends, and mom and dad get to stay home and watch reruns.

Lisa and I both made it past midnight the other night, which is pretty impressive for us old folks.

Yesterday was a quiet day here. I have been focused on studying for a certification exam I’m taking later today, and Lisa and I both took note of the fact that the television was off all day. We didn’t flip it on until it was time for me to head to the sunroom to enjoy a little 2025 gaming with the guys. I have a feeling that for some time, it might be best to leave the TV off unless there is something specific we want to watch. I often have it on, with some YouTube travelogue drone footage with light piano playing. I do like to look at parts of the world where I have never been. For me, I wonder if it’s more enjoyable just watching it than having to be present at the location so I don’t have to worry about mosquitoes that can drain a pint of blood in three shakes.

This year will be a year of change for me, as every year is. There are some things that I worry about, of course. Everybody has worries about health and job security, and I’m not different. As I joke (kind of), I have to worry about my blood pressure. High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and panic attacks are not a great combination of conditions that play well together. I hope I don’t have to explore the depths of my resiliency anytime soon.

Time to get something in my tummy and get back to studying. This certification is one I really need to nail down.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 656

Good morning! Today is the last day of 2024, and the birthday of my oldest daughter, Bonnie, who turns 28.

Bonnie has plans this evening… wouldn’t you if your birthday was New Year’s Eve? Lisa and I will have a cocktail and probably head to bed around ten or so, as is normal for folks in their 60s. We don’t go out much.

Yesterday was a very energetic day around here, with a lot of activity. Bonnie and her dog came over, Gracie and Evelyn were here for a big chunk of the day, and the rest of us were already here, so no real surprise there. It was a bit frenetic.

Today will have some activity, but not as much. I’m taking Bonnie out for lunch, as I often do with the kids on their birthdays. Sometimes it works, sometimes the kids have something else going on. Today, Bonnie and I will go to a local restaurant … I think “bonbon” is back open again, and it’s a cute place for a meal.

One thing I would offer up for my friends. I like to write. I haven’t always written – I went through a very long period of time when I did not. One of the interesting side effects of my ADD is rejection-sensitive dysphoria, and when my writing was mocked a very long time ago, I quit. It took me a long time to get past that, and start writing again. I wish I had not stopped, but I can’t do anything about that now. What I can do is keep a journal at hand and write things down when they pop into my head. Notes, numbers, drawings, whatever.

I won’t be writing tomorrow. I hope you all have a great New Year’s Eve, and I hope 2025 is peaceful and prosperous for all.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 655

Good morning, and happy Monday to you all. Today is 30 December 2024. Just today and tomorrow left in 2024.

The first story I noticed this morning was “17 Dead Giveaways That Someone’s Ignorant and Uneducated.” If I had paused for a moment, I could’ve added a couple more giveaways to the list.

I had a friend who insisted on being referred to as “Doctor”. Every time he answered the phone, “Doctor” this, “Doctor” that. It wasn’t too long into our friendship that I realized the guy had gone to a two-year community college, followed by a trade school where the graduates are called doctors in that particular trade. I did the math and figured I had spent more time in college and accrued more hours, but I sure as heck was not going to call myself something that I wasn’t. Years ago I read a book by Robert Heinlein called, “The Number of the Beast”, and there were four protagonists – all called “Doctor”. One of the characters had intentionally pursued a doctorate in a field as a joke to satisfy some clause in a will. Today I would simply tell him to skip that doctoral program in favor of the fastlane approach my old friend took.

The funny thing is very few people refer to my spouse as “Doctor”, and I have heard her refer to herself as that on only a few occasions, typically when we’re making introductions at some dinner or professional function.

I sometimes think I’d like to return to school and pursue a PhD in history.

Today, I have some work to focus on. I’m on vacation, but I have a certification exam scheduled for this Friday. It’s not optimal, but I need to get it done. After that, I’ll get another scheduled to complete my security suite of certifications.

Oooh… Lisa made bagels.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 652

It’s Friday! I’m still on vacation! Today is 27 December 2024.

My back is still bugging me. I’m trying to stretch it out, but it’s still pinched and tight. I’ll take some ibuprofen in a bit, along with the rest of my normal morning meds.

Today is going to be a day of studying, relaxing reading, and probably some sports on TV.

Yesterday was some quality time with Evie, which I always look forward to. She’s recovering from a cough and is still a little under the weather.

Lisa and I gave each other for Christmas some “health rings”, the Oura 4. It’s interesting, and I think it’ll take a little time before it get completely dialed in to our vitals, but so far it is interesting to see it keep track of our activity and our sleep.

Today, there might be a little sushi on the schedule. Dane and I usually grab a meal out this time of year. Next Tuesday, lunch with Bonnie on her birthday, probably over at a restaurant called “bonbon” here in Lawrence.

That’s enough. I need a cup of coffee.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 651

Good morning! It’s Thursday, 26 December 2024. For my friends in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, I wish you a happy Boxing Day. For my friends in Europe, I hope you have a wonderful St. Stephen’s Day.

I pinched a nerve in my lower back. I’m taking ibuprofen and working on some stretches to try and manage it, but it’s still kind of a nagging and debilitating condition. One moment I’m fine, then just one motion in the wrong direction, and it’s shooting pain across my lower back. I’ll try to run to the doctor tomorrow, and we’ll see if we can get that nerve unpinched.

Christmas Eve and Christmas were wonderful here. We had a fantastic seafood chowder on Christmas Eve, a bit of a Scandinavian tradition, with my wife’s Danish side and my Norwegian side represented. All of the kids were over, and Evelyn was an absolute joy. When we unwrapped presents, that little 21-month-old was very helpful in distributing gifts from under the tree to the intended recipient.

On Christmas morning, we all went to Gracie’s to watch Evelyn open her gifts from Santa. We made some memories.

On the way over and way back, I was riding, not driving. It was at that point that I realized that it would not be a good idea for me to ride for about four and a half hours in a car, so I let my mom and sister know that I wasn’t in a good place to travel with my back being in a bit of a rebellious mood. Lisa stayed with me here at the house, and we had a rather quiet Christmas Day. The kids went and took a lot of pictures.

That’s about all I have for now. Coffee is made, and cinnamon rolls are calling my name.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 649

Good morning! It’s Christmas Eve! I spent part of yesterday with my granddaughter!

This is quick and short.

I hope you all have the opportunity to make some memories over this very special time. My wife, kids, and granddaughter are here, and my happiness is not in question. I am a blessed man.

Lunch will be a charcuterie board with a side of chicken wings – I am perfecting my recipe, but adding corn starch helps to make the skin crispy. Tonight, it’s more of a traditional seafood chowder, and then we’ll do a family gift exchange. Tomorrow morning, breakfast at my daughter’s place, and watch Evelyn open her gifts from Santa. After that, off to Clay Center. I feel I’ll be listening to the Chiefs/Steelers game on the radio.

OK, that’s enough. Time for another cup of coffee, then it’s time to get going on my wings.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 648

Good morning! It’s Monday, December 23, 2024… tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and in our house, we call today “Christmas Adam”. It’s something my wife and the kids started doing years ago, so we’ve stuck with it.

I am on vacation, but I still have plenty to focus on. Cert exam at the end of next week. The work can wait. For now, I’m going to enjoy the break.

I’m not one to take vacations, kind of like my dad was. I’ll take a break over the winter holidays, but I haven’t always pursued the week off on the summer. I probably should some year, when Lisa can take a week off as well.

I wrenched my back the other day. I need to find the right stretch to get it back in place.

I had a good weekend. Watched some sports, and played some D&D with the guys.

OK, I’m going to finish my leftover hash and cup of coffee and contemplate the state of the universe for a while, followed by the termination of an alien scourge on my laptop.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.

Evie Day 645

Good morning, and a happy Friday to you all. Today is the last working Friday of 2024 for this guy, 20 December 2024.

5 Days until Christmas.

One of the things I’m doing is taking my blood pressure in the morning. Both my cardiologist and GP want regular readings, so we have a little battery-powered cuff here at the house. I ran through my checks earlier this week, and it looks like my BP is still a little elevated, so the next step is to switch up some of my medications, and I’ll be replacing my regular medication for my irregular heartbeat with another medication that addresses the heartbeat issue and helps with the blood pressure as well.

We’re going to take Lisa’s car in for service this morning, and then I’ll run her over to the University. After that, I need to pedal my big butt home to get ready for back-to-back presentations, one on preparing for a certification exam, and another on security basics.

After that, I get to take a look at some other work responsibilities before I call it a year. I’ve got plenty going on the next two weeks, so my focus will be clear.

That’s all I have for you right now. Sports this weekend, Christmas next week, and time with family.

I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.

Peace y’all.