I've never actually sat on a jury - been close a couple of times but got excused (struck?) - but I've been called AT LEAST a dozen times, probably more. Sometimes I would get the notification and go through old date books because it didn't feel like 18 months had passed. They pull from the DMV rather than (or maybe in addition to?) voter rolls, so there's no shortage of candidates. Just a Randomizer that loves me, apparently.

They always want reasons why you may not suit their needs on a jury. Mine, no stairs, ever. I can't sit in a straight-back chair with my feet on the floor for more than an hour, I have to get up and walk around. Must have permission to eat in court or breaks every two hours to maintain blood sugar levels. Otherwise I am much interested in the workings of the court system and eager to participate. Your call.

They never do.

Today has been a whirlwind. Life right now feels like a train that is in a constant state of acceleration. One of my staff has tested positive for Covid-19. No symptoms, he's doing great. Isolating for 10 days. That has triggered Covid testing for the folks he's been in contact with, including me. Again, no one has any symptoms, and we are all vaccinated. It's been reviewing our policies, who can still work. Reporting to our clients where we are working on job sites. On top of that had a blind inquiry for work come through this morning, that has gone from a vague "can you do this" through to here is an estimate, it's approved, it's invoiced, and the 30% deposit is paid all since 10am. All while dealing with the other stuff. So now we have to figure out how to make this thing we just got hired to do work by the end of next week, so that it can get shipped out to the New York Comic Con where it's happening.

I'm tired just typing it out, and now I still have to do all sort of other work.

When it rains it pours? We've been very paranoid about any possibility of being asymptomatic carriers of this crap. We've tested before traveling or events, and fortunately have easy fast ways to test. Need to explore easy home tests.

Our IT folks sent out an email yesterday that they were down 50% of their staff because of COVID -- I don't know if it's just isolation or actual cases. Still a mess.

This does not compensate for the fact that a bungled switch to OneDrive has fucked over so. many. functions. Including accidentally deleting dozens of directories containing decades of work files. (Happily we can get them restored, but seriously!)

Oops that does not sound good, Suela.

Still quiet round these parts….I overslept this morning, and I fear it’s become that part of the year where the sun does not rise early enough and/or the clouds are heavy enough that morning is all the harder. Dislike.

I don't know that my cake opinion would be helpful. I'm drawn to the mango mousse and tropical mousse options, but I don't think those would be kid-friendly compared to chocolate.

I found out yesterday that I'm getting a raise, which was nice news to receive on the heels of finding out that an upcoming project component I'm responsible for will be much more involved and complex than I'd previously believed.

Nice, Matt!

I have my second pickleball lesson on Saturday. Fun! The third lesson is an actual game. That should be hilarious. DP is taking them, too -- his suggestion, actually, which was cool.

Then lunch on Sunday at a new place -- Armenian; most of what I want is off limits, but there are some GF options, which they kindly mark on their menu. One of the two friends is of Armenian descent, so we're excited.

What are your guys' weekend plans?

Also, Happy Birthday to Perkins!!

Happy birthday to Perkins. I hope it is a fun day, and that the year to come is joyous.

I have my second pickleball lesson on Saturday.

Neat! Someone put up a pickleball net at the end of my sister's street with a message on the community page that if people needed equipment they could message them to borrow theirs. Yes, very small community here. I had never heard of pickleball.

Yikes, down 50% has to be very stressful.

Yay for a well-deserved raise!

What are your guys' weekend plans?

I don't have weekend plans, but I neglected to mention that I saw Jen K.(now, Jen Spring) on Tuesday.

Even though she's just across the Bay in Oakland, I hadn't seen her in 2 and a half years! Last time I saw her was when the Red Sox came to town vs. the A's and she had an extra ticket. Shortly after that her father died unexpectedly and she was dealing with that, and then Covid etc.

Anyway, she and her DH have a lovely little cottage with a creek that curves through their backyard. So we sat out on her deck and talked, then got some Korean food to go and ate that in a park, then returned with coffee to her deck. Four hours of catching up flew by easily.