My husband is in Southern California for a few days on an amusement park adventure. I'm not a fan of wild roller coasters so he went with his god-daughter who lives in that area.

His phone is set such that it will automatically send out an Emergency call if it thinks it's been in an accident. It went off twice yesterday. He claimed to love those rides. 

I am very satisfied with my decision to not join.

Update-- he lost his eyeglasses on another ride. 

I was in Vegas for a few days for a conference. It was a blur of activity-- exhausting and invigorating. Our customers are enthusiastic; they love what we offer and see its future. They’re also vocal about its limitations, but the clear value keeps them committed. How do I get the rest of the organization to feel that specific, powerful energy?

Switching gears on Saturday, I helped C2 with his gardening project. He’s taking on part of a park across the street from his house. We spent a few hours pulling pails of garbage, clearing walks, and spreading mulch. He’s dealing with the neglect, one ambitious afternoon at a time.

We attended a wedding on Saturday. A lovely, well-attended affair. I spent a good while catching up with the groom's grandparents, whom we've known for years.

The conversation took a turn when the grandfather revealed he has colon cancer. He had a softball-sized tumor and a length of his colon removed. He is not going to follow up with the recommended chemotherapy. His health has been a battle for the past decade, he said, and he just doesn't have it in him anymore.

Over the course of the festivities, we had follow-up conversations with his wife and daughter. They both want him to fight, to spend more time with him. They see his choice as a kind of surrender or selfishness.

It's a complicated decision. He's been in pain for years, but he’s also always been so mentally present—a loving and engaged grandfather. I’d like to think I’d fight for more life, but I don't know who I'd become should pain take over.

Sunday morning, my husband flew out for work, so I went for a long bike ride. Afterward, I dropped by C2's place to help him with some gardening.

C2 has befriended the city employee who manages the park across the street and has volunteered to tend the gardens nearest his house. The city has been helpful, giving C2 plants and mulch. It’s a nice arrangement with a bit of controversy. The park has a rat problem. Some locals see the rats as a sort of symbol for the downtrodden, Others-- including C2-- see them as a public health issue.  C2's goal is to make his small corner of the park cleaner and less rodent-friendly.

PS.. C2 is now sending me such exciting texts as "Want to come over and help spread mulch? All the cool kids are doing it." and "I'll buy dinner if you help me spread mulch."

There is a large forest fire west of Seattle. Fortunately the wind is not blowing the smoke towards us. In this sunset picture, the large dark cloud is all smoke. 

 

And we are back in Seattle. I enjoyed myself at Disney though I indulged too much. 

I can enjoy the history, art and cheekiness of some of the rides as much as any thriller. Take Mr Toad's wild ride... the plot of this ride is that you go out for a wild night of drinking and driving. Then you die and go to hell. I kid you not. You can look it up. 

Having said that the "Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance" ride is a major spectacle.

We are at Disneyland for the weekend— nominally to celebrate gay days. My husband has a deep affection for Disneyland. He grew up near here and visited often when be was a kid. Disney brings back great memories for him. 

Sunday was the neighborhood potluck that I organized. It was good to get together with the neighbors and put names to faces.

Our neighborhood is generally very quiet with little gossip. One neighbor passed away a couple of months ago, and his house sits unmaintained. We're all curious about what will happen with the property.  

 Tommy wrote...

"All over the World". Mighty important person in the Company!!

Perhaps I am a capitalist taking advantage of more affordable countries. Either way, I’m grateful for it. I like my people. Plus the work is challenging and rewarding. 

Friday evening I caught up with the Australian contingent before they departed Seattle. We had dinner with my old boss who semi-retired a few months back. For the first time we could have a real conversation without the professional guard up.

He opened up about his drug use. It turns out he'd take a small THC gummy before major meetings to calm his nerves and help him be more loquacious. Everything clicked. The days when he was serious and quiet, versus the days he was charming and talkative—I get it now.

It makes you think about all the small, secret things people do to simply get through the day. I can't say I'm not curious.

Another hectic work week is over. I hosted an onsite for my org where my teams flew in from all over the world. Overall we had a fantastic time together.

I find it difficult to be surrounded by people from dawn to dusk and to stay constantly engaged. My energy and enthusiasm doesn't work that way. 

Overheard at a BBQ. A child was talking to his mother...

"Mommy, mommy, mommy, it's always about Mommy. Mommy get's to go to the grocery store. Mommy get's to go to the post office. What about me? When do I get to go somewhere?"

The mother later said she had to work very hard to not break out laughing.