Hot

One of the hottest days of the year so far here today.  But judging by the fact that I was watching a Wimbledon match earlier today that got delayed due to a fan collapsing from heat stress, I'm guessing it is currently even hotter in the UK right now.  There is nothing worse than too hot weather.  Especially when you don't have AC - something that most people in the UK and the Pacific NW have in common.  What is making it worse for me at the moment is that for most of the day I can't leave my windows open, because some nearby building contractors are running a really loud portable generator.  Should I say something?  Probably not worth it, because any day soon I'm going to be even more bothered by the sounds of fireworks most nights.  It's kind of ridiculous round here - most neighborhoods prohibit the use of the fireworks, and there are plenty of signs put up to say as much, but conversely there are still lots of pop-up shops selling copious amounts of fireworks.  I thought these were mostly restricted to Indian-owned land, but I noticed today that fireworks were being sold out of a pop-up store in a church car park.  Crazy.     

Clown

I've had a red nose for most of my adult life, but never really done anything about.  I noticed today that it's redder than normal - perhaps it has caught a bit too much sun.  I think it's time to do something about it.  I did some internet research and have ordered some recommended moisturizer, which I'm going to start using every day.  I don't know if it's going to make a difference, but I don't think there is any harm in trying.  But the main thing I want to do at my next doctor's appointment is to ask if they can refer me to a dermatologist.  It would be good to find out from a specialist if and what can be done about my condition.  Is cosmetology a bit shallow?  Yes, but I think warranted in this case.    

Grease

I don't know what is going on, but a load of my t-shirts have developed grease stains over the last few weeks.  Have I forgotten how to eat?  Am I turning into a literal lard ball!?  I know a couple of occasions where I did accidentally spill some food down myself - but certainly didn't think it was anything particularly greasy, I thought I had successfully treated it with soap and water at the time, and there seem to be a lot more t-shirts with stains than I remember.  Or that seems normal.  I have used copious amounts of stain remover, but with limited success.  I clearly need a wardrobe update. 

Morale

It wasn't that long ago that on the last working day before a significant holiday, like Christmas or Thanksgiving or 4th July, management would send out an e-mail saying we could leave at lunchtime.  Those days appear to be long gone.  It certainly didn't happen today.  Maybe this is simply a reflection of how we work now - where a lot of us are working from home.  A lot of our leadership has changed, so maybe this is also a reflection of their different approach to management.  Whatever the reason, I think it's yet another example of how employee morale is being sapped.  From closing the office (or forcing office-based employees to go into the office every day), to outsourcing, to layoffs, to a distinct lack of recent swag (all the more disappointing when you consider we just had a big - and probably very profitable - drug approval recently), to initiating various unfriendly money-saving measures (such as limiting conference attendance - this year we're not even being allowed to attend a departmental symposium being held onsite at our company headquarters in California).  It's all very depressing.  Currently we are saying goodbye to a lot of contractors, as their contracts are not getting renewed.  And I expect there to be more layoffs at the end of the year.  And perhaps I might be one of the lucky ones getting laid off in this round.       

Hiss

I was on the way to my mailbox this afternoon when something caught my eye on the driveway.  As I got closer, I saw what it was.  A snake!  Not exactly a big snake, but quite colo(u)rful - a nice shade of red.  It wasn't moving at all other than it's tongue.  I have no idea what species of snake it was, but I had to get a photo.  But I'd left my phone inside.  So rushed to the house, grabbed my phone, and rushed back.  No snake to be seen at all.  Almost like I'd imagined it.  Gutted.  No photo.  It was probably a Northwestern Garter Snake - but would have been nice to have had a picture of it so I could confirm.   

Break

Work is slowly killing me.  I've been feeling really rundown recently, and especially this week.  Not sleeping well.  Not enjoying what I'm working on.  My confidence and motivation levels are incredibly low.  Our company shutdown next week for the 4th July holiday couldn't be better timed, I really need the break.  I haven't made plans to go anywhere - but depending on weather and traffic, I'll consider taking some longer day trips.  But mainly it will be nice to hopefully relax and not think about work for a week.  Sadly I don't think that will be easy - I only have more deadlines and stress waiting for me in the weeks immediately after the break.

Minifigure

I like Lego.  I like Lord of the Rings.  I like limited edition things.  I shall not be bidding on this particular Lego minifigure, even if only 20 were ever made.  $15,000 is just a little steep for something so small and made of plastic.