The Martian.

I'm reading a novel called THE MARTIAN.  A movie based on it will be out soon, starring Matt Damon.  It's the author's first novel.

Must be nice.

Gabby

A young woman named Gabby seems to be taking over as my main daytime aide.

We're still learning about each other, but she's a nice person eager to help, so she should work out fine.

Jordan

Jordan was here as my aide again today.  I really didn't think she'd be here again after last week, as her baby is due any time.

I doubt I'll see her again any time soon.  That will be my loss.

Crazy Signatures

One of my aide companies has a silly new procedure.  I have to "sign" an ipad before the aide leaves.  Well, what I do is different every time, and anybody could do what I do, so the company gets no reliable information from it.

Just another way to pester me.

My Pirates

My Pirates got off to a slow start this season, but they've come on strong, and now they're doing quite well.

Hopefully, they'll make the playoffs again this season.

Door Code

My aide company changed my door code when Philip was fired as a security measure.  That's fine, but aides have had trouble getting in.  The aide today had to have maintenance staff let her in.  Those aides presumably weren't given the new code.

Communications seems to be an issue.

Baby Time

An aide I've had recently-- who was once a regular aide for me-- is really pregnant.  As I understand it, the baby could come any time now.

Jordan was here Friday, and I thought that would probably be the last time for a while, but she was here again today.  We'll see when she comes back.

Junk Email

I had 26 emails waiting for me today.  All junk.

It's disappointing to go down that list and find nothing interesting.

Odd Happening

Last night I had to get up about 4 o'clock to use the bathroom.  I haven't had to do that in months.

I guess it was just one of those things.

Replacing Philip

So far, replacing the hours Philip worked is taking four or five aides.

It's working pretty well, but I hope we can cut that number a bit.

Possible Opportunity

A major literary agent in New York City is currently reading one of my novels.  If she agrees to represent it, there's probably a good chance she'll be able to sell it to a publisher.

Hopefully, something will work out.

Philip

Philip is no longer employed by my aide company.  It seems the situation involved more than a traffic accident.

So now I have to start all over, getting accustomed to new aides.

No Word On Philip

The company that employs my aide Philip tells me it has no information about his situation.

That's odd.  It surely has to know when he might be back in order to make plans.  Of course, maybe the company just doesn't want to tell me what it knows-- but then why lie to me.

Still Unsettled

My aide situation is still unsettled, but it's working out so far.

I don't like the uncertainty, but this time it couldn't be helped.

No Word Yet

No word yet on my aide Philip.

So far, things have gone smoothly enough, but I do hope Philip is okay and gets back soon.

Philip

My main aide Philip was in a traffic accident this morning.

I don't know yet how serious it was or when he might be back.

Visit

My brother Jon and his girl Callie came over for a visit this morning.

Callie did a great job in kindergarten and is headed into first grade.  She is also a budding basketball player.

Ducks

Outside this morning, we got within ten or fifteen feet of a couple ducks waddling along before they quacked and flew away.

Pretty neat.

Email

I had 33 emails waiting when I got online today.

Most of them were junk, but that's still double what I usually get.

Software Tick

I had some trouble doing this blog today.  The software in this site wasn't cooperating.

It's always something.

Annoying

Recently when I've gone to one of my websites, I've had to watch a commercial before it goes to the website's contents.  It's annoying.

I wonder if advertisers consider that annoying people might not be the best way to sell them your product.

Laughs

I watch a lot of the old western television series. and I'm struck by how often the main characters laugh.

All the shows are dramas, and they have the reputation of telling simplistic, violent stories.  Often, however, they use wit and humor and tell worthwhile human tales.  That's why they're still watched 50 and 60 years after the fact.