Did I mention I had an incredibly good time Saturday night?

As a brewfest it was actually pretty subpar. There were national concerns like Lagunitas and even Anheuser-Busch taking up space. Speaking of taking up space, there was also an awful lot of ciders, hard seltzers, canned cocktails, and other things that WERE NOT BEER.

But it was unlimited tasting, and there was a live band, and the BAND, OMG.

Look, I certainly know dinosaur rock is old. I have also been perfectly aware for some time that the 80s music that was contemporary with my youth is old. But alternative from the 90s and 00s… I mean, that CAN’T BE OLD. That couldn’t be an old gray-haired band playing Green Day, STP, Killers, Blink 182, etc. and that couldn’t be a floor full of severely middle-aged people rocking out? That music was EDGY! It was what YOUNG people listened to!

It’s gonna take me at least a decade to get used to this.

God, I am so depressed.

Another book that happens to match my decor.

Moonbeam Grape Tomato SKU: 3026-A Size 1/10 GRAM

Pacific Beauty Calendula SKU: 7021-A Size 1/32 OZ

Matt’s Wild Cherry Tomato SKU: 2970-A Size 1/10 GRAM

Dwarf Jewel Blend Nasturtium SKU: 7160-A Size 1/8 OZ

California Orange Poppy SKU: 7094-A Backordered – ships by 03/06/2024 Size 1/64 OZ

Bush Delicata Squash SKU: 2951-A Size 1/8 OZ

Mardi Gras Blend Bean SKU: 2150-A Size 1 OZ

Napoli F1 Carrot SKU: 2322-A Size 250 SEEDS

Cosmic Purple Carrot SKU: 2335-A Size 1/32 OZ

Truchas Lettuce – Pelleted SKU: 2626P-A Size 100 SEEDS

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce SKU: 2550-A Size 1/32 OZ

Olly F1 Sweet Pepper SKU: 2802-A Size 10 SEEDS

Racer F1 Pumpkin SKU: 7253-A Size 10 SEEDS

Sora Radish SKU: 2855-A Size 100 SEEDS

Green Machine F1 Summer Squash SKU: 2890-A Size 10 SEEDS

Supersonic F1 Summer Squash SKU: 2893-A Size 10 SEEDS

The book I’m reading has a picture with a beautiful bouquet of tulips on the table, and so do I!

I treated myself to some new markers yesterday. I’ve got more gradations now.

Last post to this blog before Xmas. Had a good week off to myself before necessary travel begins today, so I’m good.

annotated edition

This was a re-re-read. I re-read it only three years ago. I went to look up my review of 2020 and was floored by tables describing my Covid-related inactivity and case statistics. It does not feel real.

Anyway, my observations this go-round included amazement that Catherine quickly saw through the artifice of Isabella’s letter towards the end of the book, after Captain Tilney had amounted to nothing and Isabella thought she might have a chance at patching things up with Catherine’s brother. She (Catherine) was such a dupe of Isabella through the entire book, in scenes where she (Isabella) was so much more transparent. It seemed odd that she so suddenly wised up.

I won an award. I won two awards.

“Chris, thank you for being an amazing technical lead. You have mentored all the new team members and keep the older ones in line. … Your leadership and knowledge have helped this team grow immensely. Lourdes and I are very much thankful for your contributions, leadership, and forward leaning thinking!”

and a small one, arguably more meaningful, as it was from a peer:

“Thank you for ALL your support and guidance. Really appreciate it !!!”

It is one (two) of those awards I get to shop for. I am feeling jewelry again this time.