A bed of roses

Finished off my character sheets - now it's on to the plot and scene list.

Did some work.

Came home and made curry for tea, and had a video call with younger grandson. He's saying lots of names, now - but still not mine. I do maintain that 'grrr' is a difficult sound, though. Older grandson has his driving test tomorrow - keeping my fingers crossed for him.

And I've just watched Game Dove's videos about FFVIII.

Some days are just not very exciting!

I was expecting to really not get on with some of my siblings in Christ who are also attending the Cultivate course, and there was one in particular I thought would be diametrically opposed to a lot of my beliefs. Well... yeah... I think they and I would disagree on quite a few points but they were very supportive of me as a servant of my congregation. I spoke to our vicar on the way home saying I was surprised by them and the vicar said they were really trying to understand other perspectives. Which I think is a really brave thing for them to do. 

I'm also in a much broader faith space myself, these days, more tolerant of other POVs. Because it's very possible for people on the liberal/progressive end of the spectrum to be just as entrenched in our attitudes :D Reading Richard Rohr has really helped from that perspective, challenging my dual thinking, my 'us & them' mentality - because there is no 'them', there is only US. When we hurt our siblings (including plants and other animals), we hurt ourselves.

Anyway, there is a possibility I'll ask this particular sibling to meet up for a coffee.

Today started with a meeting, then lots of desky-stuff. I also met up with a colleague for a chat and sorted the son's phone out. And I updated my list of 'puzzle games without combat' list and sent it to the colleague who has a young step-child.

I've also made quite a bit of progress planning for Sunday.

And now I'm watching some of Rex Sterling's shorter videos. The longer ones tend to be too long for me to engage with - but maybe on Friday? It's another desk day and younger grandson isn't well so we won't be getting a visit from the grandbabies this week.

OK, that's all for today.

Daughter and grandbabies came to visit this afternoon. Younger grandson (nearly 20 months) is into absolutely everything - can't take your eyes off him for a moment. He's so full of mischief but there's nothing mean about him. Granddaughter (5 weeks tomorrow :O) is gorgeous and starting to smile. Why is it a baby's face lights up so much when they first smile?

To our grandchildren we're Granny and Pop-pop. Younger grandson calls us Gee (Granny without the 'rann' :D) and Po-po (Pop-pop without the 'p's). So cute.

So, that was the afternoon. I also managed to get some work done! But like last Friday, I have a task that I'll pick up over the weekend.

I played an hour of The Plucky Squire and it's as cute as I hoped - and also very funny. Too early to have any Thoughts, but it has not only a Story Mode but also 'can't fall off ledges' and 'can't die' options!

Now I'm watching the second episode of 'The Perfect Couple'. It's grabbed me in a way that Kaos didn't. OK - make that the third episode... Not normally one to binge-watch but it is Friday night...

I got some feedback from one of my Beta readers on the synopsis - it's looking promising!

Is it still only Tuesday?!

Had a go at the 'mock exam' that came with the training materials BEFORE skimming through the slides again and I got enough right to pass. A couple I guessed at because they asked about stuff I had zero experience of, and one I guessed because I didn't think ANY of the answers were right :D I got them all wrong. And the others that were wrong I just didn't give enough thought to. So, I'm fairly confident I'll pass *crosses fingers*

Work was a day of 'a bit of this and a bit of that' - didn't drag as much as yesterday, anyway.

On the way into work, I called into TK Maxx. The zip on my work bag has been getting very sensitive and popping open - even my new very light, very crumply new dress was too much for it, yesterday. So, I went to TKM because they have very nice bags at low prices. But none of the backpacks in the women's section was big enough or had side pockets for my cup, or was a reasonable price, so I went down to the men's section and found something that will do. Being from the men's section, it's not quite as 'handbaggy' as the last one, but I think it will last a lot longer. I also picked up a set of three baby vests for new baby <3

Evening prayer was interesting, as always. The other two people were talking about their different views on Wigan - there are obvious things that colour our view of the world, and things you'd never think of.

And I've just watched the episode of Psych that's based on 'Clue' - Christopher Lloyd as 'Marty', a black butler (Garrett Morris), and the VA for Alistair in the Dragon Age games (Steve Valentine) as a rock star. Oh, and Curt Smith popped up again. And there was a scene with Gus in skin tight white tiger print pants >D

That's today's highlights. Roll on tomorrow!

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.

Today I dropped husband's repeat prescription off at the doctor's, took notes at a looong meeting, tidied up the dashboard (for the last time?! fingers-crossed we're there with the new auto version!) and then wrote my monthly report (and asked a colleague to update part of it since their LM who normally does it is on leave - zero response; colour me unimpressed), and finished off by writing up the minutes from the morning. So, only a handful of tasks but big chunky ones.

I also watched Fuzz arrive in Gongaga in Rebirth and meet Zack's parents. Aerith seemed... distant with them. And Yuffie singing about materia :D

And I looked for some new suits on ebay but nothing really grabbed me, so I tried maxi dresses and skirts and found some really nice things. I just need to remember to check on them!

Finally, I watched another episode of Psych with an alternate intro - this time sung in Spanish. Shawn's an actor, now...? And EVERYONE watches the Spanish soap opera - even his dad?! The programme just gets more and more ridiculous, and I just keep on watching :D

Oh, and I've uncovered another Whovian in the office. Must remember to chat to them about it.

AND I edited two of my short stories this morning, so I'm back on track!

I spent today tidying up some project folders and talking to two colleagues from other parts of the university about project processes.

I also got another story edited - but this is one I'm going to need feedback on, I think. I don't know if it all holds together properly. Anyway, I have a couple of Beta readers lined up, and I may just pick on some other people :D It's also one of the stories that might make a good full-length novel.

A colleague brought their children in to the office yesterday - a 2 1/2 yo and a 6mo. I picked the sleeping baby up - after checking with the colleague - and they just slept on! Until it was feeding time. They have the most beautiful eyes - mostly a sort of golden hazel with a blue outer ring - and really big, even for a baby. And then they randomly started blowing raspberries! I enjoyed the chance to just cuddle a baby, which is one of the things I miss most about grandson #2 growing up - he wants to be up and doing, not sitting still on my lap :D

I've just finished Carto and the ending is just as cute as the rest of it. I managed to trigger one of the 'hidden' trophies - finally! I've looked up the list and the plat looks very doable. I also found I very nearly triggered one of the others - darn. So, I think the weekend is for hoovering up the remaining trophies.

And now I'm going to get ready for bed. I may be heading into a week off, but I like to keep to a fairly regular routine.

Had my final 1:1 with current LM today and did a half-yearly review of my objectives. I made a couple of comments in my usual style and they said something along the lines of they're going to miss our conversations where so much is expressed in what's left unsaid. And said they would always be around if I needed to chat - which really isn't something I've thought about. They've been a great LM, but I don't see an ongoing personal relationship with them. They also didn't know, until I mentioned it, that Tigger is going to be my next LM. They asked how I felt about it and I said it makes a lot of sense and is preferable to the alternative (one of those 'saying a lot by NOT saying a lot' moments!), and that Tigger and I work really well together. As with most 'Marmite people', I'm firmly in the 'like' camp but completely understand why other people aren't. Current LM also said Tigger thinks the world of me, which they've told me themselves in not quite so many words.

I also did a quick review of some of my previous LMs, including favourite colleague - whose name current LM didn't even know! How the mighty are fallen... A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable that ANYONE in the university didn't know them.

Otherwise, a patchy sort of day that rounded off with a nasty bout of trapped wind. It's gone now, but it was REALLY uncomfortable while it lasted.

Friday tomorrow, and then a long weekend because of husband's birthday on Monday.

Tomorrow is the last day I'll be Tigger-free until I'm next on leave but I've made the most of the break. I understand the PBI reports much better, although not quite sure what they're intending from publishing them in ppt. I've asked the PBI devs to pause that until I've had a chat with EPC next week.

Today was pretty much the opposite of yesterday. Most of it was spent at my desk, getting through a pile of adminy stuff and updating my annual objectives. There was a meeting in the afternoon, which I'll write up tomorrow. I managed to watch an episode of Fuzzfinger's LP of Rebirth, and realised I'd watched the next episode before it - but I'm caught up, now.

Tomorrow, I've got a coffee date with the colleague who's been having a pretty shit time. I get to be Auntie Rosa :)

Which reminds me - I promised to send some dates to my spiritual director and I haven't done so, yet. I've put a note to self in my calendar for the morning.

In FFXVI, I've completed all the side quests and got the Gotterdammerung. Just the Level S hunts to track down, and then I'll play EotF. I particularly like the side quest for Harpocrates. It's such a sweet thing for him to want to do. And Dion is so broken ;( I know most of the side quests are basically fetch quests, but I love the way they round out the world and the NPCs. They're one of the things I really love about the game.

And Liverpool have won to go back to the top of the League. My boys will be happy :D

Had to chunk a meeting transcript into three bits to feed it into ChatGPT and then what it produced really wasn't usable and I ended up mostly using my own notes anyway. I have another meeting tomorrow and I'm not sure I'll even bother. I have Copilot even though I don't have Windows 11 yet, so I think I'll give that a try tomorrow. I really haven't made too much of an effort with ChatGPT because I knew Copilot was going to be available at some point. Well, that point is now!

I finished 'Lake' with 5/12 trophies but I'm content with that. I'm happy I played 'my' game; I don't need any more from it. Up next is 'Fenyx Rising', which chat buddy promises is the closest I'll come to playing 'Zelda'.

In work, it's become apparent that we need to use the 'full fat' version of Project Online because we can plug it in to PowerBI and get a really clear resource view, which is what EVERYONE is screaming for. A new role is being advertised that will manage upgrades and regular university events, like Clearing, with the possibility that we'll also get a view of BAU. At first I thought it was a more highly-paid version of my job but it really isn't.

It's been really mild the last couple of days. If it continues tomorrow, I'll try to get husband out for a breath of fresh air.

And now it's time for bed. G'night DW!