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CIO's line manager asked for help with filling in a spreadsheet showing all our current projects (all stages) from the Strategy Support Office - so CIO delegated it to me and the Portfolio Manager. I took a look, shuffled a couple of lines around, updated all the lines, added a column (in response to something CIO's LM asked for) and filled in the exec sponsor column.

Portfolio Manager complained later that it was a complete mess and there were projects shown in 'discovery' that are really in 'delivery', and they were going to have to spend loads of time on Monday getting it all right. Remember, this is after I, the Keeper of the Portfolio, had edited it. I was going to let them do whatever they wanted. After all, they are technically the 'owner' of the portfolio (hence their job title). Part of the problem is the definition of 'delivery' - to them, it means 'a PM has been assigned', so they will declare a project is in delivery that hasn't even got an agreed scope! But, according to our new framework (which they have seen and signed up to!!!), delivery only kicks in when we start development; before that is discovery.

On the way home, I decided I'd have another go. After all, there were lines under 'discovery' that are really 'pre-discovery' - they've been signed off by the prioritisation body but there's no PM assigned. So, I split off the pre-discovery stuff and added a bit of explanation under the group headings. I also trimmed back the updates, so it's at least possible to read them. I then resent the spreadsheet to CIO and Portfolio Manager with an explanation of the headings being in line with the framework. Hopefully, Portfolio Manager will appreciate my efforts.

I also had a meeting with former LM and their new report about a slide deck I created a month ago - although it had completely gone out of my head because a) I've slept since then and b) I've had a lot of head-changes. Anyway, between us we worked out what information it was trying to show and what we needed to do to update it with their information. It's one of CIO's brainwaves that makes perfect sense to them, gets thrown to me to make something of it, and then I have to explain it to everyone else. Anyway, the discussion was really helpful and I've updated the slides and resent them, moving the deadline from tomorrow to next Friday - at which point it goes back to the CIO to decide what to do next.

Then there was a project board, followed by writing minutes to FFVII OG OST <3 As I was about half-way through, one of the PMs came over asking why they couldn't assign a resource to a task. Turned out they were searching on first name and this person was listed under surname. For some user records, either works; for others, you have to be precise. Stoopid system is stoopid.

Before I could get back to the minutes, LM asked me about my objectives from last year and the new ones they wanted to give me for this year. Which is all great - but it's a conversation for my annual review! 'Can I close these off, then?' NO!!! We will discuss it properly, and sign them off properly, at. my. review! Love that they love working with me, love that they want to get my new objectives set up early - but there's a PROCESS here...

Got back to the minutes, sent them to the PM who signed them off, updated the action list and sent the minutes on to the chair.

This afternoon, I decided to look up a review of the BG&E Remaster - and found Rosie from Playstation Access was doing a livestream! She was accompanied by Amy, who has been doing 'behind the scenes' work at Access for a while but has been getting front of the camera a bit lately - and loves BG&E so much she has a tattoo of Jade! I threw up a few comments, including saying I had to head off - and not only did I get a 'goodbye, Rosa' but a discussion on whether Heartlily is a reference to Rinoa! It almost makes up for Rob missing my comment about my birthday on Dave's livestream a few weeks ago - he signs 'Happy Birthday' as Gollum; it has to be seen to be believed.

When I got home, I ran down to the neighbour's house to collect grandson #1's book.

After tea, I made a bit of progress on Tunic. Used the guide to find some secrets, uncovered another all by myself! It really does pay to try walking through every wall and behind every column in that game.

And I rounded the day off with a couple of episodes of Psych - a murderous lesbian and street racing.
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I forgot to put the bin out last night :( I blame the fact that I was asking the son about his night out. Yes! It was definitely that!!! Luckily, we don't produce enough rubbish in a fortnight to fill the bin, so it can wait for the next collection.

I also edited another story (really on a roll!). This one was inspired by the kindness people showed each other during the pandemic. Again, not much work needed on it.

Then I watched a Playstation Access episode about the latest releases on PS and... Beyond Good & Evil has been remastered! I'm seriously tempted to treat myself to an unbirthday present. I was considering getting a proper manicure but the game is actually cheaper and will last a good while longer. I really enjoyed playing it, even with the action elements. And it's looking increasingly unlikely there'll ever be a sequel so, this looks like the best option.

First work thing was a meet up with a new-to-me colleague via coffee roulette. A very nice person, also a grandparent and someone I'd like to meet again. Just put a note to self in my calendar - I still need to meet up with the person I connected with at the March graduations!

On the way to the office I did a bit of shopping. As I was standing in a queue the person behind me asked if the sunglasses they were going to buy suited them; they were worried the lenses were too large. I said they did, then showed them mine - I buy large sunglasses to keep the glare out at the sides. A sudden impulse hit me and I asked if I could treat them to the glasses (which were the only thing they were buying). 'It's up to you...', so I added them to my shopping. They thanked me and handed me a leaflet - 4 steps to solving your problems. I eye-rolled quite hard when I read it - apparently God can solve all problems. Er... well... God can help us find the way, or provide the courage it takes to do the right thing, I suppose... But there's no heavenly magic wand that just makes all the problems disappear. Anyway, I felt like I'd done a Good Thing and that was reward enough.

Did battle with P4W/Power Apps/Whatever but finally got my templates in order, then set up a new record for a project that's just getting underway. The process works! I'm setting myself a deadline to fully automate the dashboard (even if I have to update a couple of the records myself) by the end of the summer. I might be the main beneficiary, but why is that not important? It will save me literally hours of work. It might even be something to present on at next year's conference...? We REALLY want people to be aware of this stuff and to use it, and then there will be a bigger benefit.

On the way home, a complete stranger stopped me in the street and said something I didn't catch because I was trying to work out who they were and why they'd stopped me. So, I asked them to repeat it and they said, 'I've got a parcel for you'. Which my brain struggled to take in because I didn't know them, so why would they have a parcel for me? 'O...K...' I replied.

'You live at [my address], right? [Name beginning with my initial but not the right one]?' 

'Yeah... and it's [right name].'

'Oh! It just says [Initial, Surname] on the label. It was left at ours a couple of days ago. I live at [address two doors down].'

'Oh, right. This all makes a lot more sense now!'

'Yeah - I probably should have introduced myself first! It feels like a book. I'll drop it off later.'

I'm guessing it's grandson #1's 'Dirty Greek', finally. We didn't get a card through the door telling us it had been left with a neighbour. Anyway, it looks like the evening got away from them because they haven't knocked. I'll pop down to theirs tomorrow.

I really don't remember ever seeing them before, but I've obviously made some kind of impression on them!

It has been stupidly hot ALL day :(

Finished the night off with an episode of Psych - which was about alien abduction :D So, yeah, a bit of a weird one all round.
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Our neighbour passed away just over a year ago. She left her house to her 5 grandchildren, one of whom has bought it (presumably the others get the cash) and now is transforming it into their 'dream home', or something. All I know is there's been hammering and drilling going on all day, every day for weeks. Today, it started at 8am and finished at 8pm - seriously. Oh, there was a pause in the middle of the day when the match was on.

Which Liverpool drew, BTW. They seem determined to finish the season on a low :( We will get a homecoming, but only one trophy out the four we were hoping for - but Klopp deserves a proper send off.

I finished FFXVI. The emotions hit me but didn't wipe me out. Finishing off the final boss was very satisfying. I'm still hoping for more DLC but I've bid farewell to Valisthea for now.

I've started Carto, which is a very simple game that is going to screw with my brain :D

Farscape is proving interesting. Still very early days but I am definitely enjoying it.

And now I'm heading for bed. Had a very late night last night and I've been feeling slightly out of it all day.

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