Kevin's Watch

Giving blood is a way to find out about exposure to the virus as they had been testing for it. That was how I confirmed after a negative covid test that I hadn't been infected last November.

We're getting ready for a road trip to visit relatives during the first half of September. Omaha, Montana, Fargo. As kind of a train guy, I'm hoping that this trip a couple of the places along the way are open this year that were closed last time. Like the Union Pacific museum and the Little Bighorn battlefield

Running a fever of 101.4°F. Slight headache and tired. Going to attempt to nap.
Arm slightly more sore than previous two times, but I'm working it and am hydrating.

Unfortunately, as a chronic leukemia patient, this forner galloneer can no longer donate

As a malaria survivor, I can't donate either. Pretty much if you've ever been to Africa, you're blacklisted.

School started August 11. After 3 days we went on lockdown-- not for COVID-19, but for tribal attacks. Then we reopened this week, and closed yesterday an hour early for the same thing. The university has been evacuated after multiple attacks, and in the nearby community whole families were burned inside their homes (including the daughter of one of our security staff, her husband and children). j

This SUCKS.

We're here complaining about having to teach online, but meanwhile people are getting macheted and torched and shot in various parts of the city. So we're currently on 24 hour curfew. I'd like to say I have peace about it but although we ourselves do not feel threatened, people are killing and dying and it's all a completely pointless cycle of retribution.

Fun fact: the "eye for an eye" part of the Bible was actually meant to LIMIT revenge and end cyclical violence. It was an eye for an eye-- not killing for an eye, or burning to death for a tooth. And then Jesus said, even better, love your enemies. But people forget that stuff when they're grieving. And right now a lot of people are grieving. I can't even imagine places like Afghanistan and Syria.

Sorry, didn't mean to be a downer. But there are a lot of mean people out there busy ruining things.

I'm sorry all this is going down, deer. I hope y'all are staying safe.

Feeling 100% better, although my arm is still slightly sore.

I want to publicly apologize to Linna. I dropped the ball this summer, I said I was going to call but then didn't. Summer moved so fast and I wanted every moment with my kids...still. Sawweee.

We continue to be locked down, but are hopeful for a return to what passes for normal in this country, the usual s***show. Seriously, this country is falling apart at the seams. For the first time in years we are seriously wondering if it will hold together long enough for us to get to retirement age (5-7 years). And do we want to stick around that long when we see so little impact from the work we do. But we're only going down that line of thinking because we're discontented with online teaching.

It's Play Music On the Porch Day! Here's my totally non prepared, totally spontaneous "performance."

Play Music On the Porch Day 2021

My wife and I spent this last week in Georgia in a rental helping with my daughter and the new baby. Baby born all healthy 7.7lbs and very loud when hungry.

The adventure begins on Friday when we climb in all the vehicles and head to Ohio.

Congratulations, SB, on the addition to the family!

Travel safe.

As far as me...

wooo-HOOO!!!
I just received this text from Krystin Jones, the coordinator for P.ink Washington State. Quoting with her permission.
(please pardon the language)

"Hi I'm happy to let you know you are one of gals receiving a tattoo this year. If you would call me when you have some time to talk so I can go over details and what to expect next. Holy shit congratulations girl!! I look forward to talking with you soon."

P.Ink Day is an annual event, where free decorative tattoos are given to breast cancer survivors/thrivers over their mastectomy and reconstruction scars.

Congrats Menolly.

Congrats!!! I know that has to be exciting!

Thanks y'all.

It will be my first tattoo.

Gotta start somewhere.

Congrats Menolly and SB.

Oh, me? Just had a weeks leave, but it's not the same when you're not in an office anymore.

Spent most of my "holiday" sitting exactly where I sit when working. Meh.

--A

How are you and Melody doing against the plague, Av?

I've been working a different prison temporarily because they are so short handed. The new kitchen major is someone I worked with at my first unit for around a decade. There is so much work to do to pass inspection next month.

The last kitchen captain was not training her people or correcting their mistakes. So the new Major has allowed me to decide on what work I need to do to fix things.

I've already fixed a few huge problems with tool storage and accountability of those tools. I'm getting the kitchen in line with TDCJ policy. I've started fixing the huge amount of incorrect paperwork. The major designated me to sign off on all of it. Trusting that I'll get it right.

I've been assigned a clerk. Making my job easier. He mainly reminds of stuff I need to do. And I'm training one of the sergeants so she can take over a kitchen one day. I've had a lot of correctional officers who worked for me become building, kitchen and laundry dergeants. My last unit, I proved the fast track to getting ahead. I even placed two workers in the Cannery.

Today after sending another unit supplies (fruit) they were out of i started reorganizing the kitchen commissary. Going through a box I discovered my biggest contraband case.

Two cell phones, one charging cord and a vape pen.

A good day.

Menolly wrote:How are you and Melody doing against the plague, Av?

I'm pretty well recovered thanks. Mel seems to have a few lingering symptoms, but nothing too serious. Will hopefully be getting our shots soon.

--A

Huzzah!
I'm glad to hear neither of you are long haulers

I do wish we were still playing The Bad Writing Game.

An easy fast to all those observing.



May we be sealed in the Book of Life.

My wife and I dodged a work bullet today. My office is moving most of its operations from Ohio to NY and Dallas (unexpected to us). My wife and I were both considered critical and will be allowed to continue to work remote.

Below are the teams that will be relocating to Dallas and New York:

• Accounting & Accounting Services/GBS
• Asset Protection
• Category Management
• FP&A
• HR Operations (incl. Employee Relations)
• Indirect Procurement
• Internal Audit
• Risk Management
• Rx Operations
• Assortment Execution
• Category Management
• CRM
• FP&A
• HR Retail and Talent
• Training
• Real Estate
• Retail Brands
• Shared Marketing
• Store Maintenance

IT, Legal, N.A. Call Center, Information Security and Retail Store Systems will remain in Ohio for strategic reasons.