Thursday, April 27, 2023

We Interrupt Our Regular Programming ...

(Source)
So at the daytime job, lots of software integration testing going on this week. During the run-up to this week I did something completely unlike me ...

I volunteered.

To go to work early on Monday and Wednesday, like get up at 0400 local, then be at work at 0530.

Computers needed to be loaded with software, databases cleaned, and generally get everything ready for our guys to demonstrate to the customer that things work as they should.

Which they do. Not perfectly mind you, this is a complex system and has its quirks, idiosyncrasies, and no small share of "bad ideas" that seemed like "good ideas" at the time. If you get my drift.

Anyhoo, did my duty, got things in a proper state to test on the two aforementioned days. Tuesday was a "normal" day, as will be today (as you read, tomorrow as I write).

Thing is though, I slept terribly on Sunday night and again on Tuesday night, which, given the early goes on Monday and Wednesday, left me in a state I can only describe as ...

Exhaustion.

So I'm pausing the Waterloo campaign for a day and taking to my rack early. (Last night as you read this, in a few minutes as I write this.)

Dang, I used to be so much better at burning the candle at both ends.

Of course, I used to be younger too.

I'll leave you with this ...



A bientôt, mes amis ...




24 comments:

  1. A change in the sleep routine can be really disruptive. Try to hit the rack earlier this weekend, maybe a twenty- minute nap then also Sarge. Course DON'T listen to a Military March before nodding off........ :)

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    1. I never developed the ability to nap. Today is normal, I'm already better!

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  2. Burning candles from both ends uses them up twice as fast. I've had a couple nights like that recently, too. Someone mentioned the space weather may play a factor in things like this. CMEs and planetary K index, etc. And my foil hat is in the shop..... poor timing on my part. ;)

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    1. It's the space weather! (I'm going to use that from now on. Love it.)

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    2. Don't laugh, space weather does have effects upon our brains. Maybe not directly, but at least indirectly by affecting weather patterns, outside temperatures, higher levels of radiation, higher levels of space alien anal probes..., well, maybe not the last one... hopefully.

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    3. "Space alien anal probes ..."

      You actually went there, nice!

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  3. The ways thing change as you get older.... I just need to remember that I can't/don't do things like I did in the past (that I remember), driving someplace is a fine example. 10-12 hour drives don't happen anymore...

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    1. I well remember the time I drove from San Antonio to Fort Collins, Colorado all in one go.

      I won't be doing that again! (Eight hours to Maryland I can still hack. For now ...)

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    2. Fortunately, our 3.5 hr drives to College Station (next one tomorrow) are not too long. However, the transit of Moscow on the Colorado is trying for the soul. Construction there seems to have been going on for millennia and not much apparent progress, but, the good news is, the traffic load has gotten a lot larger than when they started. So...(To quote a great movie) They've got that going for them!
      But, your post did remind me of a story, so...Thanks!

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    3. AH yes, the "never-ending-construction" projects. Have had a few of those in New England, the "Big Dig" being perhaps the most famous.

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  4. Sarge, we had a huge thunderstorm blow through at midnight last night for an hour - even though I managed to get some sleep later and woke up a bit later, I still feel completely off my game. I am not a fan of how much lack of sleep impacts my life.

    Or, apparently, Space Weather!

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    1. Crusty Old TV Tech here. That line of heavy boomers went through us between 0500 and now...one lightning stroke was less than 1/2 second away, too close. Very noisy. Woke me up multiple times. Woke doggie up too, she ended up sleeping with her favorite hoo-mans as therapy. I am also a wreck this morning, like a night spent at Coleman's Rodeo on Erie Blvd West, but without the good memories. Abends Bit, Morgens Fit, unless you're an old fart.

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    2. TB - Middle of the night thunder-boomers or "Hey, wake up, you ain't getting any more sleep tonight!" storms.

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    3. COTT - Old fartism is not for the faint of heart.

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    4. It's not the actual thunderstorms that bother Mrs. Andrew and me, it's the funky pressure changes that preceed the storms that get us, in the joints and sinuses. We can detect big storms brewing days ahead of the National Weather Service.

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    5. Very familiar with those pressure changes.

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  5. War is hell so I'm sure Napoleon appreciates the day off!

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    1. I had a thank you note from the Emperor himself just this morning.😎

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  6. What Tuna said, as I'm sure there were days that nothing but marching and bitching occurred.

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  7. Yes, the old “Integration & Test” acceptance testing. I miss the long PowerPoint presentations, off-hours testing, STRs, failed steps, and endless meetings and reports…NOT! As I reach the >65 years old crowd, my sleep is more regimented; usually 2300-0800 (Central Time), with the 1 or 2 “anticipated” wake-ups to drain the old bladder based upon how many beverages I consumed later in the evening. I do enjoy retirement though. You know that feeling when you wake up on a non-work day very tired, and realize that you can get a little bit more rest? I experience that every single day. Great for the physical and mental state of mind. Hope all is well with you. Texas is a great state, glad I finally made it here. Stay safe!

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    1. Ah, "you've "been there, done that." Nice!

      I thought about retiring at the end of this year, but the money is too good and I really enjoy the people I work with. The job is interesting too, so I've got that going for me.

      Also, I only work four days a week (36 hours) so every weekend is a 3-day weekend. Which is really nice and lets me catch up on any missed sleep.

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    2. “White Buffalo” = Porth - a name you appropriately gave to me over a decade ago (in case you did not remember). Tell “Hello” to the old gang for me! 😀

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    3. I thought that was you! I shall pass your greetings along!

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