A bed of roses

A year ago I was making a quick stop because I'd had a Day.

Today I got the theme for my book squared away - choosing to accept the inevitable but doing it on your terms. It's been a theme of my life, for sure. And I can apply it to all my main characters. So, that feels like progress.

I wore my heavy black woollen dress and turquoise boots. I don't know how long I've had those boots but today I finally admitted that they have more than had their day. So, new boots are now top of my 'to buy' list.

I did some AI stuff, including prep for my project. I'm really not confident about parts of it - I need to talk to a colleague, I think.

We watched a new reality thing - Handcuffed. I can see it generating some 'interesting' conversations.

Now I'm watching the latest episode of The Rookie. A genuine tear-jerker.

This time last year I was enjoying a quiet Saturday, using the internet to help with GoW:R, and feeling anxious about Ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine passed 4 years the other day. How much longer can it go on, this proxy war between Russia and the 'West'?

Today I got my arse into gear early because I was leading at church. Husband and I had crumpets and Father of All coffee - it's definitely grown on us.

I originally thought I was heading up today's agape breakfast on my own, so I had floated the idea of coming along to the friend I met up with last week. No clergy, I promised. Then I checked the rota and found that, in fact, the curate was down too, so I warned my friend - and they still came! And really enjoyed it. Hopefully they'll come again.

When we were setting up, I folded my coat up in a corner out of the way. When I went to pick it up again, everything in my pockets went everywhere. I collected the coins but it was only later that I realised the button I 'rescued' the other day was also gone. I scanned the floor but couldn't see it. Oh, well - this coat is clearly not meant to have its original buttons! I've got an idea for sewing some random vintage/steampunk buttons on one of the lapels as a kind of permanent brooch.

After dinner and a chat with Husband, I came upstairs for some TTPII. I'd had a think about a couple of the puzzles I was stuck on yesterday and neither idea worked quite the way I thought, but I got through enough puzzles to clear the level. Each level has a total of 10 puzzles but you only need to do 8. There was one that I THINK required split second timing (I'm old and my reflexes have never been great) and another that required either reflexes or a lot of faffing about - possibly both! I'm now at Tower 2 on the final side of the Megastructure and we have another new tool. The devs on this game are so creative. We have also used a slightly dodgy machine and I shared the 'insights' with everyone. More philosophical debate ensued.

We had a nice, simple tea and then watched The Floor. Only one week left! Can super Katie go all the way?

And I finished the day with an episode of The Lincoln Lawyer. Mickey hurtled from one desperate situation to another but, of course, it was all fine in the end <_< It's mostly a fun programme, and I love the characters and their interactions but I'm not a fan of having my nerves artificially shredded. But I'm invested in the series as a whole, so here's hoping the rest of the episodes are more realistic.

Now for bed - one more week in work and then a whole week off!

 A year ago I was reflecting on angry people being angry, thinking about how to track my time, and watching Unforgotten.

Today I started with a Bookfox video about themes, and a Girl Gone London one about things that surprised her in the UK - one being how to eat cake :D They both gave me something to think about.

When I got settled into work, I wrote up the process from yesterday and checked through the docs from a couple of projects that are going to be audited. The House of PMO meeting from this morning was cancelled, so that gave me some breathing space. After a quick dinner, it was time for the wrap-up session for Module 1 of the AI programme. We're really flying through it! Now I just need to sort out the project...

This afternoon I watched a webinar about PMO's managing risk. And a suggestion for ANOTHER name for this type of organisation - the Value Management Office. Which makes sense - why do projects that don't produce value?

The Friday Feature returned today! 7 games with unforgettable intros - FFVII made it but FFVIII didn't. I suppose 7 gets the player right into the action...

After tea (jacket spuds!), I made some progress with TTPII. The third side of the Megastructure is open and I've unbound the entity inside. And we've seen the truth... And it's all a bit sad, really ;(

Now I'm watching the end of The Alien Invasion. Tom Baker's Doctor will always be the best <3

A year ago I was taking Husband for a walk in the sunshine, talking webpages with LM and lessons learned with the team, washing, playing GoW:R and watching Unforgotten.

Today I looked up the reading for Sunday - Nicodemus' midnight visit to Jesus. The questions that come to me are... When do we meet Jesus at midnight? Do we keep our faith secret, too?

My first meeting was a session with the safeguarding officers at work, learning about migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. I learned the differences between them, at least, and there was a good discussion amongst the group. And I bumped into a friend's other half on the way to work.

I also had an AI workshop and a meeting with project colleagues. More interesting conversations! And I used the Facilitation function for a Teams meeting.

On the way home I popped into Tesco, then marched home, my lovely new coat flapping around my legs in the way I imagined it would. About half-way, I heard a weird ping sound, like I'd dropped something but I couldn't see anything on the ground, so I kept going. When I got home and went to undo my coat - and the button was gone! 24 hours!!!

Tea was very tasty - and very filling! But that's a good thing. Who knew butter beans went with chicken pie?

Then Husband and I had a politics discussion. 'All he wants is fairness and people to be allowed to express their opinions.' Which all sounds very well and good but not all opinions are created equal. For example, Nigel Farage, the 'defender of white people', IS a slimeball, and I have evidence to back me up on that - it's not just my opinion. And it's not just MY opinion. I genuinely feel (and this is an opinion, I suppose) that a lot of people are being duped by him, and we could be on the edge of repeating the history of 90 years ago...

And I finished Ripple, which ended, as I suspected it would, with plenty of scope for another series. I also sewed on the spare button that came with my NEW coat.

This time last year I was enjoying meeting up with old friends, adventuring with Atreus, making Scouse, and watching Dancing on Ice and Miss Austen (which I think I bounced off, despite the great cast).

Which reminds me, this year is set to be a bit of an Austen-fest. Netflix are doing P&P as a series and the Beeb are doing The Other Bennet Sister as a series, and there's a film version of S&S in the autumn.

And I learned about a game that looks like it could be fun - Relooted. Africans carrying out heists on museums to reclaim their treasures. It's due to be released in December, so that could well be my Christmas game.

Today's Transition Team meeting was looking at the thorny question of buildings. We have six parishes but 9 buildings (because CoE). There are two we're in the process of disposing of, and one of the parishes has asked for some good reasons to get rid of one of theirs. But our building doesn't have a proper roof, so we need to look at how much it would cost to put one up - and then decide if it's worth it. Of course, I'm going to say yes! Apart from it being 'mine', it gets the most use and is a very flexible space - although we can only really hire the whole building even if people only want one area because you have to go through the larger area to get to the toilets and the smaller area for the kitchen. And sound carries, so you couldn't have a quiet activity in one area and a noisy one in another.

I also watched a video by Hannah Fry about AI that whilst unsettling in some ways left me feeling basically reassured. She was talking up some of the positives, whilst encouraging us to all think really hard about making it work. I then read an article by Matt Schumer that left me feeling very alarmed. He's saying that AI is already streets ahead of where most people think it is. AI is building the next gen - if you use a computer to do your job, AI can probably already do your job. The worst part, though, was this paragraph...

Now, the bit about not clinging to a JD is probably sensible. But getting AI to write your book?! What are you saying? And, I suppose, it could do your cover art and maybe internal illustrations! Why pay expensive human artists? I despair, sometimes. But I'm already doing something about the possible existential threat to my job with the apprenticeship. It's looking even more well-timed by the second!

And then I watched a short video from LBC asking if the King might abdicate if the Crown is brought into disrepute by whatever the police find in Andrew's files. Only time will tell.

I finished the day on a bit of a high, though, because I had time for some TTPII and got through a few puzzles without much difficulty. I also noped out of a couple but we won't talk about that!

A year ago I was having a useful 1:1 (although I think the helpful suggestion still fizzled out...), a quiet afternoon, and a slightly frustrating evening.

Today I cleaned the living room, then checked the time - 09:40, plenty of time to do the bathroom and toilet before Asda and Daughter & co arrived, I thought.

I got the bathroom done OK, and was just about to start the downstairs loo when there was a knock on the door. Asda arrived early, which is very rare. But, of course, I was glad they did. Got the shopping put away and was just about to go back to the cleaning when Daughter & co arrived. Now, when Daughter says 10am, I tend to expect them some time nearer 11am :D When I said this to Daughter, she said they'd been ready before 9am because the kidlings were so excited about coming to see us.

Younger Grandson wanted to get the ball pit out. I put up the pop up container and Granddaughter grabbed a couple of balls from the bag and dropped them in, then did the same again. 'This could take a while,' I thought. YG appraised the situation, grabbed the bag, and tipped the balls in. Very sensible. They 'helped' Husband to make beans on toast for their dinner, followed by Fruit Shoots and Milky Ways. We had a little run around outside and up and down stairs. 

I added the Spider-Man games to my PS Library the other day because YG really loves Spidey & Friends. But I don't think he's quite old enough for gaming and GD certainly isn't - and it's got to be something they can both at least try if they want to. So, I'm wishing they were older because I want to share my passion for games - but at the same time, I want to enjoy them as they are now.

After they'd all gone (and we all got some lovely goodbye kisses and cuddles), we had our dinner, and then I got through another section of  TTPII. There was another new tool and I got through it fairly easily. I tried the next section this evening and my brain was just too tired to work anything out. So, now I'm watching the Ice Skating Gala.

A year ago I was looking forward to meeting a new spiritual director, loving my resilient primroses, exploring Power BI, saying farewell to a couple of projects (not before time!), watching Unforgotten, and learning more about my 'king'.

Today I did some thinking about the environments my characters will travel through. I discovered 'desert pavements', which is an area covered in broken stones but with soil underneath them that's 'younger'.

Work began with a meeting with a sponsor to explain some of the things that came in late and/or were at odds with what the business said they wanted at the start ! They told the PM the outstanding items would be picked up by a new group they were putting together that the PM was free to join if they wanted. Er... Just because they PM'd a project doesn't mean they're otherwise interested in the topic :D

I then used Copilot to convert a list of PMO services from someone else's spreadsheet into a rather nice Word document. Now, this list forms the basis of the external meetings I've been attending. At the start of the process, I agreed to not use the service catalogue but... Well, I tailored it to suit our PMO, and it's the old list not the new one. I'm not using it for commercial purposes. And there's nothing particularly earth-shattering about the list - if I Googled 'pmo services' I'd end up with a pretty similar list. It also gave me practice with Copilot for my apprenticeship. So, I think I'm OK...

I also had a session on self-awareness that I booked through the apprenticeship, so that counted towards my OTJ.

And I ordered my coat. I love Phase Eight clothes. So that's the full amount spent. Hopefully it'll get it back this payday.

Now I'm watching the Pairs Free Programme from Monday, which means I can fast forward the adverts. The dismounts from the lifts are getting more and more complicated!

A year ago I was complaining about the cold (and yes, it's FREEZING again!), reminding my parents that everyone can be touchy about their identity, starting my journeys with Copilot and the House of PMO Service Catalogue, and rewatching Unforgotten.

This morning started slowly because late night. Unfortunately, my character descriptions won't write themselves... But brain is just noping out, so what can I do?

I picked up Husband's prescription and a bit of shopping on the way to work. The first meeting was a 'meet the coach' session for the AI Academy, which counted towards OTJ. Later in the day I went onto the Community page and signed up for another training session (in prompt writing) and a colleague recommended a podcast.

At dinner time, I met up with one of my coffee squad people who is Singaporean Chinese and had a beautiful outfit on. I was just complimenting them on it when I realised what day it is!

We had pancakes for tea. I used one of those mixes where you fill the bottle up with water and shake - and you still get lumps. I think next year I'm going to WFH and make the batter from scratch. Daughter made some very nice-looking American pancakes, so that might be something to try.

And Granddaughter (18 months today!) used her potty all by herself without any prompting. She's learned what to do from watching Younger Grandson <3 She is definitely one to watch!

I've just watched the first episode of The Rookie. How many series can they get out of it?! But Fillion is always watchable.

Now for an early night!

A year ago I was having a normal Saturday, playing GoW:R, watching Unforgotten, and thinking about the three women at the heart of Keys to the Kingdom (note to self - Nova uses the elements; how?).

Today began with crumpets and good coffee, and a chat with husband. Then it was off to church where our former Rector was standing in due to sick leave, in their current role as Archdeacon. They'd seen Wicked on stage and thought it was brilliant. I saw the film version and found it very meh. Apparently I'm missing something. I'm still not going to the Lent course, though. I remember 'His Dark Materials' being at the top of everyone's 'Wow! It's sooo important!' list - and I agreed to some extent at first; but the more I read it, the more I found it wanting in so many ways.

Anyway, today's reading was Jesus telling men not to divorce their wives and everyone that their thoughts lead to sin. I believe the thing about divorce is contextual; in first century Palestine, there were very few options open to a divorced woman in terms of supporting herself, which Jesus would have been well aware of. The youngest person in my group pointed out that Jesus also talks about legitimate grounds for divorce - a man shouldn't just throw his wife over without a good, legal reason. And I think that point still stands...? If a couple are legally divorced, then either can enter a new relationship without being accused of committing adultery. I suppose that's the basis on which the CoE now allows divorced people to remarry in church.

The other point I also think is legitimate. Our actions begin as thoughts in our heads. Examining our thoughts gives us the chance to pull back from committing some terrible actions. But feeding angry or bitter thoughts, holding on to grudges, all those things twist our hearts, even if we never act on them. As the youngest person pointed out, the Bible reminds us again and again that we are all capable of both good and bad thoughts and behaviour. We're not supposed to read a passage like this, or any of the OT laws and treat them as a check list for patting ourselves on the back for our own holiness and purity. We're supposed to examine our hearts for the anger and bitterness and so on. We certainly shouldn't be pointing fingers at anyone else - remove the plank from your own eye!

I managed to get quite a lot done in TTPII. I ran around the new area tracking down all the ?s, then turned to tackling the puzzles. This afternoon, I got a couple done quite easily but got stumped on everything else. When I went back this evening, some of them resolved themselves pretty easily. *facepalm*

And now I need to get myself to bed!

This time last year, a colleague was accidentally deleting OneNote (it was eventually recovered!), I was crafting some Terms of Reference for Project Boards, watching Unforgotten, and pondering archetypes.

Today started well with porridge and fresh coffee for both Husband and myself. Healthy and tasty!

It was an office day because I was at home on Wednesday. I had one of the external meetings - this time looking at one of the services around finance. Finance isn't my area of expertise - and isn't something we really track at all - but I probably gave more input to this document than any other! Mostly relating to the wording and KSBs, though. When it came to the KSBs, I thought we should pick one from row 111 on the spreadsheet, and I found myself saying 'row eleventy-one' out loud. There were some confused looks and I said, 'It's a LOTR reference'. One person said they'd got it, a couple looked like the penny had dropped, and one still looked confused :D

I then watched a presentation on a report into the PMO for 'blue light' services - but lots to apply to any PMO, really. I had planned to do some more with the Impact Engine book but I realised I need a chat with Big Boss before I can make progress with it.

So I switched to a spreadsheet from the Strategy Office showing where other departments had mentioned IT and/or AI in their strategy documents. I went through the IT list noting what looked like 'keep-the-lights-on' support, what looked like projects (either in progress/planned or new), and what looked like BAU (in between). The AI tab had some definite themes (efficiency, ethics and training) but I wasn't sure what we could really do with it. I realised I didn't have anything to log for my AI use for today, so I asked Copilot for help! Wrote a prompt that resulted in a similar analysis to mine but Copilot offered to give some further ideas, which I took it up on - and they were pretty good suggestions. I emailed everything to Big Boss - mentioning that I'd used AI - so we'll see what comes back.

When I got home, we had a video call with the little ones. It's always a bit chaotic because they tend to run around but Granddaughter showed us her ice cream and Younger Grandson offered us some green Playdoh pizza. Daughter told us GD had picked up her phone and held it to her ear. When asked who she was calling, she replied, 'Pop-pop', which made Husband's day, of course! And YG has learned what letter his name begins with.

And then IT happened. The doom-loop conversation where Husband asks a question that I answer but it isn't the answer he wants because he hasn't asked the question he wants me to answer in a way that I understand. So he asks again - in the same way - and gets the same answer. And then again... And then he gets upset and gets in a nark - and it's only later that I realise that probably wasn't the question he wanted answered. This time it was 'Can trans men compete in men's competitions or do they have to go through a medical?'. I genuinely don't know what the rules are! But maybe the question he wanted me to answer was about my thoughts on the matter...? But that wasn't what he asked!

So I came upstairs and spent some time on TTPII. The last time I played, there were two puzzles I nearly got the solutions to. In the interim, I thought about both of them and worked out how to solve them. I applied the solutions and they worked, which moved me on to the next part of the game. I'm still enjoying it, so we continue.

I've just watched the Men's Free Program, which is my second favourite element. My favourite is Ice Dance - but we're not talking about that.

Now getting ready for bed.