Friday Randomness
First off, I’m feeling less stressed. There is no reason to feel better, but one can only stay stressed out for so long. Our company is going to go through another round of layoffs in the next month or so, and they want all employees who live within 50 miles of an office to start coming in a couple of days a week. They say it’s time to get back to normal, pandemic is over, etc. The thing is, my team has never worked in an office, we’ve always been remote, so the idea of having to drive 60-90 minutes each way to sit in a cubicle with coworkers that are not even remotely on my team is frustrating. I like my job and am hoping that someone will see reason, but thus far, it is not happening. In better news, I like my new boss.
OK, that’s enough work talk. What else. We had a fun evening this week! Ted and I went to San Francisco with some friends for dinner and then to see (The) Pretenders* in concert! It was a fun evening, good food and good company. The concert was as a smaller venue (The Masonic in San Francisco for local folks) which I appreciated. I’m not as fond of stadiums as I was when I was younger. The Pretenders were great, and wow, Chrissie Hynde is still the coolest rocker around at 72. (Fun fact, while my first husband was David Bowie, Ted’s first girlfriend was Chrissie Hynde.) We were all a bit disappointed by their selection of songs though. We would have liked more of their rocking hits peppered in with the newer songs, and fewer ballads. It was telling that the audience didn’t get up to dance until the encore, when they brought the fun in. Also, if they were going to have so many ballads, why couldn’t they perform my favorite Pretenders song, ‘Hymn to Her’? Overall, thumbs up for a fun evening, just wish it had been even MORE fun.
In other fun news, we had a family party last weekend. Ted’s cousin was visiting for a week from England, and she stayed with Ted’s brother. We went to dinner at his house the first night she was here, then they played tourist and visited family in the area all week, and then we had them to dinner at our place the night before she left. Ted made ‘Mediterranean Feast‘, which is a crowd pleaser and pretty easy as well. This time, along with the hummus, baba ganoush, spanikopita, Greek salad, etc., we had chicken, swordfish, and lamb. Oh, and we started with a cheese course, because France is on the Mediterranean, right?
Speaking of food…I made chili and corn bread for dinner the other night, even though the weather was in the mid-80s and I generally think of chili as a cold weather dish. I just wanted it. I made turkey chili for Ted and myself, and the same recipe with some fake chicken subbed in for Maya.
Speaking of weather, thank goodness it has cooled off around here. I know that means that a lot of you are probably sweltering under a heat dome, but I can’t help being relieved by every day that doesn’t require the air conditioner to come on. It’s a blessing for sure.
What else. More weekend plans – This weekend we are going to a party to celebrate the retirement of a good friend (the wife in the couple we saw The Pretenders with). She’s not even 60 yet, but one advantage of being a government employee (she’s a school teacher) is that once you’ve put in your 35 years, you can retire with your pension. I know I should have put more thought into my life, rather than going for the tasty Danish. We’re excited for her for sure. I know she’s looking forward to not going to work every day, though she is going to miss those Kindergartners.
Today I’m having lunch with a coworker from the late 90s. We get together a couple of times a year for lunch, and we follow each other on Facebook. I enjoy getting caught up.
Once again I am behind in my blog posting/reading/commenting. I don’t worry too much about the posting, but I do feel bad about the reading and commenting. I get some of your posts via email, and I’ve read those, but not followed up. Gotta get on that, hopefully this weekend. Have you been to any concerts lately? Work going OK? Is your weather unbearable? Do you have feelings about chili or soup in the summertime?
* I put (The) in parenthesis, because some of their album covers have The Pretenders, and others say Pretenders. The images on their website say Pretenders, but the URL says The Pretenders. I (generally) like to use The, because just saying Pretenders sounds awkward to me, like saying Eagles instead of The Eagles (and yeah, I know the band is Eagles, it just sounds funny).
35 Comments
Jenny
Hahaha…. yeah, I kind of feel like I ate the danish as well. Neither my husband or I will be retiring for a long time. Your work situation sounds frustrating- I hope it resolves well.
Here in Florida we’re heading into our hottest months. August and September are awful, it just gets hotter and hotter and the possibility of hurricanes increases. October is STILL hot but we have a tiny hope of getting a cool down by the end of that month. Sigh. And yes, I still make chili whenever I get the urge for it- if I waited for it to be cold outside I would never eat it.
Enjoy your weekend! It sounds fun.
J
At least we took the family option, right?
August and September are generally our hottest months, too. Sometimes we get lucky and it’s coolish, like right now. We had a yucky heat wave in July that I hope we don’t repeat. I hope your August and September aren’t too horrible. Those hurricanes are no joke.
Sarah
We are seeing this “return” to in-person for jobs that never were as well. It’s hard, too, when reporting structures change and institutional memory is lost. And commuting has a real cost, so it’s not OK to suddenly have to pay that price, you know??
J
Sarah, I know. It’s frustrating. The expense is going to be a lot, we will likely need a new car. BAH! I don’t want to have to buy a new car! And clothes! I’ve worked from home since 2006. I don’t have office clothes. And regarding institutional memory, yeah, we’ve lost a lot of that and it’s frustrating too. UGH.
Nicole MacPherson
Ugh, sorry about your new commute. That sounds brutal. Particularly when your work has always been remote!
That Mediterranean feast sounds amazing, we are having Greek salad with hummus tonight but now I’m wishing I had some baba ganoush as well. Mmm.
It’s beautifully warm here, not too hot, just perfect. Right this moment it’s raining, which is very welcome in these parts – you know what it’s like to have “fire season!”
J
Is it too late to go get some baba? Yum. We don’t eat it often, but the Mediterranean deli where we buy it does a very good job with it.
UGH, fire season. My Facebook memories today talked about how weird the weather was, and that we were getting lightening. If I remember correctly, that’s what started our fire season in 2020. I HATE IT. Glad you’re getting some rain and are having perfect weather. It won’t rain here until September, maybe October. Sometimes we don’t get our first real rain until November.
Birchie
I’m sending all of the Good Job vibes your way. I thought that we were done with layoffs, but a company where a lot of my former coworkers went just did a 20% bloodbath yesterday. If there has to be a layoff in the Cool Blogging world, can it please be me? And can we make it a rule that if a company didn’t do RTO (return to office) back in 2022 when everyone else did it they can’t do it now?
FWIW while I like my financial situation, it did come at the expense of passing up too many tasty danishes – if I had it to do all over again I would have taken some danish breaks along the way.
Chili is one of my favorite summer dinners! I know it’s counterintuitive, but there’s just something about a “winter” meal in summer that hits right.
Yeah I didn’t intend to take a blogging break but I guess I have…I like writing but sometimes the words just don’t come. Hey I’ll get back to it when I get back to it.
J
Thanks Birchie, I appreciate you taking one for the team! UGH, 20%? THAT’S HORRIBLE! Hopefully it doesn’t come to that at my company. We are a small team of 4, but we used to be a small team of 6. They let two of our most experienced people go, one in 2023, one now. So we’ve lost a third of our team. I hope that means that we are safe going forward, but somehow I doubt it. Regarding RTW, yeah, I think they don’t like having empty offices. 🙁
Lisa's Yarns
I hope that common sense can prevail and you are not forced to return to the office. That makes no sense and that would be a horrible commute! Fingers crossed for you!
That meal sounds delicious! That is right up my alley as I love all of those foods. I love dips and Mediterranean cuisine has the best and most varied dip options so sign me up!!
I love seeing concerts in small venues. Unfortunately the artists I want to see in concert have become so popular that they only perform in large venues – like Brandi Carlile. I am glad I saw her several times before she became so popular, though!
J
Thanks Lisa, I’m hoping but not holding my breath for common sense. As the saying goes, it’s not common.
Small venues are the best, aren’t they? Though we saw Tears for Fears at a big venue last year, and it was great because we sat on the grass at the back part, and it wasn’t nearly so loud or crowded as seats would have been.
Margaret
You’ve been busy and doing fun things! That’s more important than blogging and commenting. (in my opinion) The work stress, ugh. It sounds like many businesses are forcing employees to jump through the hoops. Although I never worked remotely, I only lived about 10 minutes away from school over country-ish roads.
J
Thanks Margaret! Yeah, I’ve never worked in a city that I didn’t live in, and commuting has never been a part of my life. I would not have applied for a job this far away. Sigh.
nance
Companies don’t want to own big empty buildings that they are paying rent and utilities on for nothing. That’s really what it comes down to, isn’t it, in large part? I hope you can escape that commute.
Your feast sounds so wonderful. I haven’t had baba ghanoush in years and years. It’s not a Rick Thing, so it’s not something I make at home.
I’ve been craving soups lately despite the warm weather–especially Ina’s Winter Squash Soup! Maybe I’m just feeling rebellious against a hot summer.
I’ve been on hiatus so long from my blog that I should be laid off or fired. Sigh. I’ll be back; I’m just not sure when.
J
LOL, Nance, don’t fire yourself. You’re doing at least half of the work, going around and reading and commenting, so at least we know what’s up with you.
I’ve never made baba ganoush. If you like it, find a good middle eastern deli near you and just buy yourself a bit. It’s a lovely lunch with some pita bread.
Ernie
Sorry about the work situation. It sounds super frustrating. My brother does not like the group he works with and is currently forced to be in the office for a set number of hours, so I believe he goes in crazy, crazy early so he can mostly avoid the people. I hope someone comes to their senses. That lengthy commute sounds awful, espeically if it isn’t necessary.
That cartoon is so funny. I was just talking to a friend who is a school psychologist and she explained her pension situation and I’ve been rethinking my life choices ever since. *ugh*
My work is fine only because my in-home daycare doesn’t start up again until Tuesday. This weekend I have to dig out all the pack and plays, and high chairs. I also have to drag the toy kitchen up from the basement and adjut to having it in my family room all school year. I’m crossing my fingers that this school year will be smooth sailing.
I have not been to a concert lately. I’m not a big concert goer. We saw the BoDeans on NYE a few years ago and had tried to wiggle out of it because we were acting old. “Where will we put our coat? What if we want to sit down?” The invite was from Coach’s sis and she taunted us, so we went and we had a great time.
We had a cool spell and then there was one day that was a bit warm and we probably should’ve put on the air, but it was going to really cool off the next day and it was late in the day and the house probably wouldn’t have cooled much anyway. Our offspring had things to say about how hot it was in their rooms that night. Oops.
J
Yeah, thinking about the commute situation…if I went in super early maybe I could miss some of the traffic? I used to work 6-3 when my daughter was little. Could do that again. At least I have a few months to figure it out, I have until January.
LOL on you guys acting old on NYE. That is me always. “Why can’t I just stay home?” Then I go and have a great time!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
What a fun filled weekend.
My parents are retiring now. Dad had to early because of his injuries and my mom could in 2026 I think They decided to work longer so mom mom got appointed for anotehr 6 years and then dad had to retire early. It is has been a strain on my mom because work is not easy. Mainly the leadership role is grating. But she is too responsible to thrwo in the towel.
As a kid and in my 40s retirement is a long way to go but I have a feeling I should familarize myself with this as my parents are going through this life phase. So I am looking forward learning more through my blog friends and their friends.
anyways, I got carried away here.
I love having chilli. But I will have to wait till fall. Its been high above 30 the last week and very hot. Today it has cooled down but still high 20s…
J
I wonder how different retirement is in different countries? In the US, some jobs still have pensions, but not a lot. Ted will get a pension, but it will be small because he came to this job pretty late. Different from if he had worked there his entire career. For me there is whatever I can save in my retirement account, and Social Security. I wish I had been able to put more in my retirement account when I was younger, but I never made much money and my company didn’t do a match, so I didn’t. Looking back I regret not just MAKING it happen anyway. Sigh.
Daria
Julie, I am sorry, I think you may be confusied: David was MY first husband. 😉
Sorry about the work stuff- it’s always so disruptive, and I now question whether the company is excersiing their sense of control vs. efficiency. In an outcome-based situation, you can be just as efficient working at home. What is it they are trying to prove?… In fact, employees will lose time by communiting – those 60 to 90 minutes could be used actually WORKING. Ugh, so annoying. AND, the “normalcy” point. Says WHO? I would submit that these days working from home is just as normal as in-office.
J
Daria, if David is too old for me, he’s REALLY too old for you. (RIP David!) I spoke to a DJ once and told her that he was my first husband, and she said there were quite a few of us out there.
Regarding work, yes to everything you said. I’m starting to come to terms with the idea of driving in, but am definitely not happy about it. It gains us nothing, productivity wise. It fills the office is all.
Daria
Hahahaha “many of us out there” I bet!!
Suzanne
Yes, the danish!!!!! So apt.
Sounds like a very fun concert although it is disappointing they didn’t play your favorite song.
I have a friend who is only a few years away from retirement, even though we are in our early forties. That governement pension is pretty amazing!
While I am currently still FULLY in summer mode, I did get a little happy twinge of excitement for fall when I read about your chili dinner. I haven’t had chili in so long! Something to look forward to.
J
It’s crazy to me that some folks are close to retirement. Makes me regret the Danish a bit. Some folks finish their government job and then go out and find a second career, and work full time while collecting a pension. Smart if you can manage it.
NGS
I am so old. Whenever I go to live music now, even if it’s just a band in the park, I think it’s too loud. I just don’t have the patience for music.
I hear about people my age retiring (they started teaching right after college or went into the military) and I just wonder what they’re going to do with themselves. Like, what do you DO all day? But maybe that would be a nice problem to have. But it’s not going to be my problem for a long time.
J
Engie, the concert started out LOUD, and the Chrissie Hynde actually had them tone it down a bit! I was worried for my hearing, but I got used to it.
Yeah, figuring out what to do does seem like a good problem to have. My friend that I went to lunch with on Friday is also retiring soon. She is sick of her high level job, and looking forward to not doing that anymore. She may get a low level job somewhere for a bit of income and less stress. Like working at Whole Foods or something (which doesn’t sound low stress to me, but I don’t have her current job, so I don’t know.)
San
I am keeping my fingers crossed that you keep your job and stay remote. Why would they have you come in when you were always remote? Makes no sense.
So fun you got to go for a night out in the city and see a concert. I love it. Kinda disappointing that they didn’t play their “greatest hits”… people always wanna hear those.
It has cooled down here this week (well, still day time highs in the 90s, but at least it cools off at night) and it’s been so nice. We make chili and soups year-round (I just love it) and it doesn’t bother me in the summer when we cool down the house anyways 😉
J
San, there is no sense to be made of it. I have to assume that they want people in the office, and don’t want ‘I’ve always worked remotely’ to be an excuse for people who were hired in the last 4 years. That’s my guess, anyway. But yeah, no sense and we’re stressed about it. I’m trying to find my zen and say ‘whatever will be will be’.
I am LOVING the cooler weather, glad to hear it’s not so bad there either. When it’s hot, I hate to cook anything that heats up the kitchen. I’m not sure chili heats up the kitchen more than anything else I cook on the stove though, so probably I need to take your attitude.
Ally Bean
Have you been to any concerts lately? Not a one, unless you consider sitting in a city park listening to a local band playing at a nearby bar
Work going OK? I’ve come to consider sorting through boxes of old family photos and letters to be work. I am not enjoying this but making progress. Three more huge bags of shred out with today’s trash. Yay.
Is your weather unbearable? Do you have feelings about chili or soup in the summertime? Last week was too hot, this week is supposed to be in the 80s so I’m jazzed. I like homemade chili anytime of year.
J
I’m glad you’re making progress on your project. Not fun, but definitely satisfying.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
Wait, so it’s not The Eagles?? That is just weird! I have always called them THE Eagles! Now I am going to go down a rabbit hole; is it The Cranberries? The Four Tops? The Ramones? Arghhhh. I am glad you enjoyed the concert, but it sounds like they did what many older bands do, they try to appeal to the younger crowd, but don’t they know us older people want to hear OUR songs???
As a side note, my brother’s GF’s inlaws have a regular last name with an S on it, let’s just say it’s Smiths. For a long time, I though their name was Smith, but that when we referred to them we said, we are going over to the Smith’s house. But really it’s Sally Smiths, and it took me years to get that!! Who puts a plural S on the end of a regular last name!??
J
I know, doesn’t ‘Eagles’ sound awkward? I pretty much say The Eagles and silently correct myself in my head.
Funny about Smiths. I wonder how many last names there are like that? One could waste a lot of time trying to figure it out.
Stephany
Oh no, Julie, your work situation sounds awful! We worked in an office before the pandemic but afterward, everyone wanted to stay remote and they decided to LISTEN TO THEIR EMPLOYEES (imagine that) and got rid of their office. It’s LESS expensive to be a remote company! That’s such a bummer for you.
My boss just left the company and I’ve been devastated about it for weeks. Having her immediately laid off like that, though, would have been horrible. I’m glad you like your new boss though!
J
Thanks Stephany! I saw online last year that our company had put our building up for sale, so probably this could have been avoided. But the market is pretty bad for expensive office buildings I think, so they ended up keeping it. Now they don’t want it to sit empty or whatever. BAH.
Anne
Well, you know my feelings about commuting, parking, etc. I am still salty about it, but it really isn’t THAT big a deal. Just annoying. Change. I hate change. Why do we have to change? 😉
LOVE your family get-togethers – they sound so, well, warm. And I swear, it’s THE Pretenders. Who would ever say, “I went to see Pretenders last night.” Uh, what? It works with U2, or “Brandi Carlile”. Not THE Pretenders, LOL.
J
Thank you for understanding about the commuting Anne! And I know, it isn’t that big of a deal, and I try to comfort myself and say that people do it every damn day. But the reality is that I’ve been in this job for over 8 years, and have NEVER had to go to an office, so it makes ZERO sense now. Sigh.
I love our family get togethers, too!