Year 2: Return of the Teachers

We had a quick meeting this morning before splitting off to our own buildings. I spent most of the morning wasting time on someone else’s work order, not realizing that I wasn’t receiving new work orders as they were coming in. After lunch, I went to the junior high and tried to catch up a bit there. I started to stress a little bit over how much work we’re trying to cram into a week, but eventually left to go to my parents’ house for a taco salad.

After dinner, I came home and played a couple rounds of Battlegrounds with Johnny. Josh was there for our first round together, and we did pretty well up to the last point where we had to climb a mountain that put us at a distinct disadvantage.

Tomorrow we’re grilling burgers at work. I enjoy our potlucks there. It’s fun to get everyone in a room.

Happy anniversary, me.

Money Talks

I finally got around to buying a new TV today. I really wanted to get a nice 3D TV in case the industry around them dries up. With nobody making any new ones this year, I wanted to have something I could use for the media I already have. After I ordered the TV, I saw a deal on an upgraded home theater receiver. By the time I got home and did my research on the receiver, it had sold out. I guess that’s just as well, though.

I went to my parents’ house for more Bún bò Huế. As I was leaving, my dad mentioned a big wedding for my sister. I guess the ol’ biological clock is ticket, because this seems like an obvious rush to me. She’s been acting like a teenager with a relationship, triangular business models, and buying into fads. I really thought she was going to be the responsible one, but now I’m not so sure.

When I got home, I played a couple rounds of Battlegrounds with Clint, Josh, and Johnny. It’s the last week of summer before school starts, and we still haven’t replaced my teacher computers. We haven’t even finished replacing the WAPs. Giddyup.

It says, “goodbye!”

Short Saturdays and Long Nights Alone

I forgot to post last night. It’s just as well, because I didn’t really do anything all day.

I played a little Overwatch and watched a mystery thriller called Exam.

Between those things, I sketched out a plan for my rack server and went to my parents’ house for dinner. Mom made Bún bò Huế. Afterward I went for a swim since I hadn’t even showered all day.

I never heard from anyone else.

Maybe they’re all dead.

1:1 and 1 and D-1

We finally finished the regularly scheduled handouts of the high school’s 1:1 laptops. I didn’t manage to get to anything else today, but it was alright to relax in one place. I tried the Nectar flavor of Soylent for breakfast, which absolutely tasted like lemon Pledge. I never really got past the chemical taste, but the Coffiest and Cacao are way better. We had Stoby’s again for lunch. The fish and chips was okay, but wasn’t anything special. They didn’t give me any tartar sauce, but Dale gave me his that he wasn’t using.

We got to leave work about an hour early, but I ended up staying half an hour past that to help clean up. When I got home, I played a couple rounds of Overwatch before cleaning house so Allen could come watch a movie with me. We watched Arrival, which I watched just a few nights ago. I think I may have liked it even better the second time just because I knew the dialog and could spare my attention in the other cinematic details in the film. It’s definitely one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. I still got chills at so many points in the movie.

After that, Allen left and I played a couple rounds of Battlegrounds with Jack, Johnny, and Clint. On our last game, I had actually done relatively well, but the team wiped when my computer blue-screened. I’d like a new one, but can’t prioritize it right now.

Let’s make something of this weekend.

The Sweater

I went to the high school first thing this morning to hand out laptops, but almost immediately got called to the junior high to help with their A/V equipment for a CPR presentation. It’s super aggravating working on things that other people just monkey around in without understanding how certain equipment works.

Back at the high school, we had Stoby’s for lunch, and the Tuscany Chicken Pasta travelled really well for a group take-out order. Erika came by to volunteer with locker rentals, I guess as a part of the PTO or something. We talked for a bit until near the end when a group of us went to move several pallets of laptop boxes from the back hallway to the dumpster outside. It wasn’t super hot outside, but the sun was just so overbearing, and it was so humid outside that I was just drenched with sweat by the time we were done.

I took the ride back to the office to air out, and then went to my parents’ house for dinner after work. I took a quick dip in the pool, and then we had spring rolls. When I finally got home, I played a couple rounds of Overwatch before bed.

Holy crap, you guys are mean!

Public Anxiety and the Importance of Context

A poster in health class about the tobacco industry.

Ben had me go to the junior high to log their phones back in this morning after a reset. There, I happened upon a curious poster about high school. By the time I was done, they said they didn’t need the extra help at the high school to hand out laptops, so I met up there at lunch and stayed for the afternoon. It was really pretty mellow, but I imagine the new kids coming in will be the worst part.

After work, Bác Vân called and offered some rice and shrimp she made, so I went and ate over there before coming back home. The cats were out of food, so I made a late night run to Walmart that really got to my nerves. I haven’t been quite right since then. Sometimes I want to go to see the world. Tonight I want to go to escape it.

Mini vacation soon. Maybe that’ll reset me.

It’s life. Nobody makes it out alive.

Staying

I spent all day today at the junior high. I still have one stubborn laptop that won’t install a particular piece of software, but I think I’ve managed to force it now. I only left once to go to Dwight, but my trip turned out for naught. Allen was already there, and had completed the task I was sent to perform.

As I was leaving work, Jesica called to let me know she had passed an exam for work. Once I got home, I had a couple spring rolls for dinner and continued texting Sarah H. for a bit since her birthday was yesterday. She’s planning a move to California soonish. I envy her bravery for such bold moves.

I don’t know what it’s like for you, but for me, staying is a little like watching yourself die in slow motion.

They don’t love you like I do.

This week is going to start out mellow, and quickly tighten up into major crunch time. I got to spend all day at Oakland working on a new printer. Nobody said anything about lunch, so I went to Wendy’s by myself. Their Coke Freestyle promotion has me drinking unhealthy drinks that I don’t want to drink, all for the hope of some tiny Amazon gift cards. Consumerism.

After work, I played some Rocket League with Josh so we could place ourselves in the competitive season. My parents brought over some spring rolls for me, so I ate a couple of them for a late dinner. I capped the night with the movie Arrival and a little drink. Stellar movie.

This is fine.

Movie Sunday

Rather than accomplish anything worthwhile today, I spent my time watching movies. I started off with Passengers before Johnny called and wanted to get a wireless card for his computer. I got a bit aggravated because as soon as he got here, he wanted me to drive. I figured he wouldn’t mind just picking me up since I was giving him something, but it didn’t work out that way.

After he left, Josh texted and wanted to hang out, so he came over and we watched Life of Pi. I was a bit worried that it wasn’t his kind of movie, but he really liked it a lot. He left after the movie, and I tried to continue watching Arrival, but my home theater PC just couldn’t keep up with the 4k resolution. I guess I see an upgrade in my future.

You want me to wipe your ass for you too? You smell like you forgot.

Grime Time

I woke up around 8 this morning and made the conscious decision to go back to sleep until around 11. I managed to get out of the house for some spring rolls at my parents’ house between Overwatch and Battlegrounds, but I didn’t accomplish anything beyond that.

Mom went to Tunica with some friend, I assume from work, and should be back tomorrow. At least she goes very rarely these days. I need to spend some time cleaning house. Any kind of progression at all, really.

There are just too many distractions.