jackbenimble
New member
Thanks for the recipe, Cate! I'm going to figure out what everything on the list is and how to get it. My wife knows all this but she's not on board (yet), but she'll love it once I get it done.
Jack's Diary
- Thread starter jackbenimble
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jackbenimble
New member
Hi Marsia, thanks for visiting. Boston is a cool city, and I occasionally run into people who've attended Berkeley. Did you go there? I think they've merged with the New England Conservatory, not sure though.
jackbenimble
New member
So, I spent another day on this work issue. I think I have the code where it needs to be, and I know what the problem is. It's a data issue, and it's not necessarily something that is fixable programmatically. The plan wasn't to have to have the dates coming in from the device non-sychronized.
Went to the block party today. It was very nice to hang with the neighbors for a while, but it was really chilly and I think I'm got a cold, which sucks. I've been coughing all night. I hope this doesn't develop into anything. Man, I hate colds. The scratchy throat is the worst. I've got a bag of coughdrops that I've almost burned through, and I will probably go to CVS to get some more.
I tried going to bed, but it's too early. I'm not sleepy, but just kind of tired. With the world series coming up and their ridiculously late games, my beddtime isn't going to improve anytime soon.
Ah, well. Another weekend done. Almost. I think I'll watch Undercover Law. I've kind of burnt out on the series, but I don't have the energy to do much else.
Oh, yeah, I was at 162.5 this morning. I think it's because being stuck at the computer all day keeps me from eating, or snacking. I dunno, there's never much to snack on. I think just the mental grind of working, even if you're just sitting down, burns of more energy than if you're doing something that requires less focus.
Went to the block party today. It was very nice to hang with the neighbors for a while, but it was really chilly and I think I'm got a cold, which sucks. I've been coughing all night. I hope this doesn't develop into anything. Man, I hate colds. The scratchy throat is the worst. I've got a bag of coughdrops that I've almost burned through, and I will probably go to CVS to get some more.
I tried going to bed, but it's too early. I'm not sleepy, but just kind of tired. With the world series coming up and their ridiculously late games, my beddtime isn't going to improve anytime soon.
Ah, well. Another weekend done. Almost. I think I'll watch Undercover Law. I've kind of burnt out on the series, but I don't have the energy to do much else.
Oh, yeah, I was at 162.5 this morning. I think it's because being stuck at the computer all day keeps me from eating, or snacking. I dunno, there's never much to snack on. I think just the mental grind of working, even if you're just sitting down, burns of more energy than if you're doing something that requires less focus.
No, some friends did, though, and they loved it. I was visiting Boston for a few months and stayed with them. Wonderful city, and amazing place to live for all the free music as you walk down the street!
Hope you feel better! Sending lots of vitamin C your way!!
jackbenimble
New member
Hi Marsia - Thanks for the vitamin C. I'm feeling much better today. Seems I'm over the worst of it.
Yes, one of the charms of Boston are the street entertainers, of course, I like the musicians. I've actually done some busking with my buddy C. We haven't make a ton of money, but it's good practice playing in front of people. He's been really getting into this year.
I weighed 167 or 8 this morning. I think it's all the coughdrops and honey, I don't know.
Work is a little tricky right now. I'm kind of at a point where I've finished all the stuff on my plate. I usually don't have to deal with my boss much, which is a good thing. But I'm going to have to fess up tomorrow and see what he wants to do.
I don't know if they're going to renew my contract or not, come January. I'm working on some legacy software which they brought me into support while they roll out the new one. So there's no development going on, and I've ironed out a lot of the problems since I came on. I really have to start thinking about sprucing up the resume and interview prep. Jan 15 will be here before you know it.
Anyway, I really have to think about getting a full-time job. I'm paying $1000 / month for health care, it's insane.
Yes, one of the charms of Boston are the street entertainers, of course, I like the musicians. I've actually done some busking with my buddy C. We haven't make a ton of money, but it's good practice playing in front of people. He's been really getting into this year.
I weighed 167 or 8 this morning. I think it's all the coughdrops and honey, I don't know.
Work is a little tricky right now. I'm kind of at a point where I've finished all the stuff on my plate. I usually don't have to deal with my boss much, which is a good thing. But I'm going to have to fess up tomorrow and see what he wants to do.
I don't know if they're going to renew my contract or not, come January. I'm working on some legacy software which they brought me into support while they roll out the new one. So there's no development going on, and I've ironed out a lot of the problems since I came on. I really have to start thinking about sprucing up the resume and interview prep. Jan 15 will be here before you know it.
Anyway, I really have to think about getting a full-time job. I'm paying $1000 / month for health care, it's insane.
Hi Jack. I am not eating any sugar (low carb diet) so I try to just make hot water with lemon with a few sprinkles of salt (so it tastes ok) when I get sick or grate some ginger root and make tea or things like that. I've reached a point where I just don't lose weight if I consume sugar. Hopefully you haven't dieted so much that your metabolism slows way down like mine!
Health care is horrible now. We are paying about what you are, too per person. We are also self employed contractors.
My kid performs guitar and singing at open mike nights and with her rock band, and loves it, especially the open mike night with all the old guys, some of whom used to be professional performers. I love venues like that where people relax and enjoy each other's craft. That's great you go out on the street with your friend and play.
Good luck with preparing for a new job! Seems like the economy is fairly good right now, so hopefully you find something really good!
Health care is horrible now. We are paying about what you are, too per person. We are also self employed contractors.
My kid performs guitar and singing at open mike nights and with her rock band, and loves it, especially the open mike night with all the old guys, some of whom used to be professional performers. I love venues like that where people relax and enjoy each other's craft. That's great you go out on the street with your friend and play.
Good luck with preparing for a new job! Seems like the economy is fairly good right now, so hopefully you find something really good!
jackbenimble
New member
Hi Marsia, those are some good ideas. My go-to cold remedy Thera-flu. is Interesting about the slow metabolism - over-dieting did that? That's a scary thought.
You're paying 1K that per-person for health care? Wow, I thought I was bad off. You must have lower deductibles, but I'm rolling the dice that we don't get sick until I find a real job or turn 65.
It's great your daughter is into guitar, how cool! You must be so proud of her.
Back to reality - I faced the boss today, although I had stalled all of yesterday. But really I had to get some direction because my product guys are traveling and I can't just do whatever I feel like. I did get a list of bugs ready, in case he didn't have an idea, but it ended up he gave me this really easy assignment with no particular time-limit. Just checking the Java versions we should look into upgrading to.
So, it was going well and I mentioned that I worked all weekend on that report, and maybe I would take Friday off. Not only did he agree, but he even said, let me know when those situations happen. I told him I appreciated that. So, it was nice to have a little positive inter-action with the guy. He wouldn't be my first pick for a boss, but you gotta make the best of your situation.
As far as weight, I was down to 166.5 this morning, after hitting 168 the last couple of days due to all the honey and coughdrops I had Tuesday, or was it Monday? As far as colds go, this one really hasn't been too bad. In fact, it's been awesome compared to the one I had last year, which bordered on bronchitis and lasted 6 weeks. I only had one really bad day, which was Monday, and even that was survivable.
I have been guilty of not doing any exercise since, when, Saturday? I don't want to with this cold, and I don't have the energy anyway. But, at least I will go to the gym tomorrow. My wife wants me to show her how to use the treadmill. She's been doing the elliptical for a while, but this year she's getting into jogging a little bit. She mostly walks the beach, but her school has an annual exercise day and she's starting to get competitive about that. I'm a little worried she'll be able to run faster than me, once she gets into it!
As far as guitar, so I mostly practiced "Landslide" last night while switching between the World Series and "Undercover Law". One thing about guitar is you can practice it while watching TV (or your streaming device, whatever it might be). I was definitely improving as I went along.
You're paying 1K that per-person for health care? Wow, I thought I was bad off. You must have lower deductibles, but I'm rolling the dice that we don't get sick until I find a real job or turn 65.
It's great your daughter is into guitar, how cool! You must be so proud of her.
Back to reality - I faced the boss today, although I had stalled all of yesterday. But really I had to get some direction because my product guys are traveling and I can't just do whatever I feel like. I did get a list of bugs ready, in case he didn't have an idea, but it ended up he gave me this really easy assignment with no particular time-limit. Just checking the Java versions we should look into upgrading to.
So, it was going well and I mentioned that I worked all weekend on that report, and maybe I would take Friday off. Not only did he agree, but he even said, let me know when those situations happen. I told him I appreciated that. So, it was nice to have a little positive inter-action with the guy. He wouldn't be my first pick for a boss, but you gotta make the best of your situation.
As far as weight, I was down to 166.5 this morning, after hitting 168 the last couple of days due to all the honey and coughdrops I had Tuesday, or was it Monday? As far as colds go, this one really hasn't been too bad. In fact, it's been awesome compared to the one I had last year, which bordered on bronchitis and lasted 6 weeks. I only had one really bad day, which was Monday, and even that was survivable.
I have been guilty of not doing any exercise since, when, Saturday? I don't want to with this cold, and I don't have the energy anyway. But, at least I will go to the gym tomorrow. My wife wants me to show her how to use the treadmill. She's been doing the elliptical for a while, but this year she's getting into jogging a little bit. She mostly walks the beach, but her school has an annual exercise day and she's starting to get competitive about that. I'm a little worried she'll be able to run faster than me, once she gets into it!
As far as guitar, so I mostly practiced "Landslide" last night while switching between the World Series and "Undercover Law". One thing about guitar is you can practice it while watching TV (or your streaming device, whatever it might be). I was definitely improving as I went along.
Hi Jack! Good you are taking it easy so you get over your cold. And really surprisingly nice to read that your boss is supportive! My daughter really took to guitar. We tried other instruments, but guitar just comes naturally to her. It's really fun to watch her progress and get to lead a little rock band and things.
Great your wife is getting in to jogging! I like that she is getting competitive. Maybe there are marathons in your future?! I need to get back into treadmill and jogging, too. Got sidetracked with a couple little cold/flu things, but must get back to the gym next week!
Hope your Friday goes well and that you have a great weekend!
Great your wife is getting in to jogging! I like that she is getting competitive. Maybe there are marathons in your future?! I need to get back into treadmill and jogging, too. Got sidetracked with a couple little cold/flu things, but must get back to the gym next week!
Hope your Friday goes well and that you have a great weekend!
jackbenimble
New member
Hi Marisa, thanks!
So I have the day free, but now what do I do? My knee has been bothering when I play guitar because I put pressure on it, which sucks. But I will give it some time today, maybe get back into a groove with it. It's better in the morning. I'll go to the gym with my wife, do some lifting and see how my back feels, I may do a few minutes on the treadmill, but I don't want to aggravate the cold. I might take a Spring Boot course at the Library. I also want to learn Kotlin, a Java variant for Android that's become popular. And of course, Swift for the iPhone. So much technology to learn!
I have enough in 401k to kinda-sorta retire, but I feel like I should just keep on working at this point. I dunno, I just think with the market tanking and all, just keep getting that weekly paycheck going until things stabilize a little bit is a good idea. It's only about 5 1/2 years to go until I'm 66 1/2, when I can start drawing on Social Security. So, if I can keep working till then, it would be a more comfortable retirement, we could to a bit of traveling perhaps.
One thing about work is it adds structure to your day. I'm not the most self-disciplined person, so in that sense, it gives me something to do. There's also a social element to it.
But, if I did retire now, I'd probably work hard to structure my day. I'd have time to do some apps, maybe, plus play guitar, learn languages. I'm sure I'd find plenty to do. Well, my contract is up on Jan 15, so we'll see what happens.
Oh, yeah, I have to mow the lawn.
Red Sox tonight.
So I have the day free, but now what do I do? My knee has been bothering when I play guitar because I put pressure on it, which sucks. But I will give it some time today, maybe get back into a groove with it. It's better in the morning. I'll go to the gym with my wife, do some lifting and see how my back feels, I may do a few minutes on the treadmill, but I don't want to aggravate the cold. I might take a Spring Boot course at the Library. I also want to learn Kotlin, a Java variant for Android that's become popular. And of course, Swift for the iPhone. So much technology to learn!
I have enough in 401k to kinda-sorta retire, but I feel like I should just keep on working at this point. I dunno, I just think with the market tanking and all, just keep getting that weekly paycheck going until things stabilize a little bit is a good idea. It's only about 5 1/2 years to go until I'm 66 1/2, when I can start drawing on Social Security. So, if I can keep working till then, it would be a more comfortable retirement, we could to a bit of traveling perhaps.
One thing about work is it adds structure to your day. I'm not the most self-disciplined person, so in that sense, it gives me something to do. There's also a social element to it.
But, if I did retire now, I'd probably work hard to structure my day. I'd have time to do some apps, maybe, plus play guitar, learn languages. I'm sure I'd find plenty to do. Well, my contract is up on Jan 15, so we'll see what happens.
Oh, yeah, I have to mow the lawn.
Red Sox tonight.
Is your knee injured or something? Hope it feels better! Hope you had a good, productive time at the gym and that your wife enjoyed the treadmill!!
It's interesting hearing what is happening in the world of programming. Instead of going to my last year of high school, I went to a small college and took "data processing" and transferred the credits back to high school. Back then, there was Basic, Cobol, and Foretran. I have learned a little VB, JavaScript, Perl, and Oracle SQL since then for fun, but didn't really keep up with all that. I am teaching my daughter JavaScript and Web design, and she really likes it. It's changed a lot and become much more object oriented since I learned it.
I'm not very self disciplined either. But I am getting there learning how to take better care of myself! Here's to a great weekend ahead!!
It's interesting hearing what is happening in the world of programming. Instead of going to my last year of high school, I went to a small college and took "data processing" and transferred the credits back to high school. Back then, there was Basic, Cobol, and Foretran. I have learned a little VB, JavaScript, Perl, and Oracle SQL since then for fun, but didn't really keep up with all that. I am teaching my daughter JavaScript and Web design, and she really likes it. It's changed a lot and become much more object oriented since I learned it.
I'm not very self disciplined either. But I am getting there learning how to take better care of myself! Here's to a great weekend ahead!!
jackbenimble
New member
Cate - yes, that's a good idea. I'll do that for now. Marsia, the knee is just some wierd thing that happened about 3 years ago now playing tennis. I felt something pop, and it's just kind of sore at the front of the knee sometimes. It's a permanent thing, apparently. The doctors say it's probably arthritis, but it certainly has impacted and limited my athletic endeavors. It's annoying, but what can you do? It could be worse.
Hiya Jack. Happy Saturday! Glad to hear that you and your Boss connected and you were able to take a 3 day weekend. The market tanking is playing into my retirement plans as well...it's not a bad idea to have more cushion. I moved most of my 401K into bonds and t-bills. I really think we are due for a big correction. :/ Hope you are about finished with that cold.
jackbenimble
New member
Hi Healthy Topic,
Yup, life is full of anxiety, me too. Mostly job-related. It sucks, but we just have to make the best of things, I guess. Dale Carnegie, my favorite author, says keeping busy drives the weebles away.
Mols - great timing on moving your savings into bonds. I'm about 50/50 indexes and bonds and have taken a hit recently. I'm kind of backing off my retirement plans for now. The job is an easy commute, at least.
Yup, life is full of anxiety, me too. Mostly job-related. It sucks, but we just have to make the best of things, I guess. Dale Carnegie, my favorite author, says keeping busy drives the weebles away.
Mols - great timing on moving your savings into bonds. I'm about 50/50 indexes and bonds and have taken a hit recently. I'm kind of backing off my retirement plans for now. The job is an easy commute, at least.
jackbenimble
New member
Nice day yesterday. It was raining and peaceful and I did some research on updating to the new Java versions for work. I got 1/2 hour in of weightlifting, and then watched the Celtics and Red Sox. The Red Sox are 1 win away from winning the World Series, how awesome.
I was playing along with "Tuesday's Gone" by Lynyrd Skynrd. I'm getting better at figuring out the chords to songs, but there's a spot in there that I'm not sure about. I really like Skynyrd. Their brand of southern rock is right up my alley.
I weighed 162 after doing the treadmill this morning, so I'm probably 165 or under. It's always good to be under 165.
I'm going to C's today for a jam and to pick up my sweatshirt. He's probably going to want to go out busking, because it's not that cold out. I hope not though, I'd rather stay warm and not get another cold.
I was playing along with "Tuesday's Gone" by Lynyrd Skynrd. I'm getting better at figuring out the chords to songs, but there's a spot in there that I'm not sure about. I really like Skynyrd. Their brand of southern rock is right up my alley.
I weighed 162 after doing the treadmill this morning, so I'm probably 165 or under. It's always good to be under 165.
I'm going to C's today for a jam and to pick up my sweatshirt. He's probably going to want to go out busking, because it's not that cold out. I hope not though, I'd rather stay warm and not get another cold.
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I love how you call the team "The Sox"! Sounds like some sort of shoe-less happy summer sport!Good work Jack & GO THE SOX!
PS. I don't actually like baseball, but that doesn't matter. It's not a thing here
jackbenimble
New member
Hi guys, thanks for all the well-wishes. The Sox did, in fact, win the World Series. It was a great season. The Patriots are on tonight, Celtics tomorrow. So the beat goes on.
Weight 163.5 this morning, so that's good, it wasn't after exercising or anything.
We didn't go busking yesterday, which was good. C is so good. I recorded us playing "Can't you see", and I'm going to work on a solo for that.
Weight 163.5 this morning, so that's good, it wasn't after exercising or anything.
We didn't go busking yesterday, which was good. C is so good. I recorded us playing "Can't you see", and I'm going to work on a solo for that.