So many headlines and atrocities, so little time. I have to admit, my head is spinning more than I thought it would. One thing at the top of mind is DeWine’s ridiculous and unnecessary ordering of all state employees to return to the office full-time. It reminds me of his first (premature) decision to call everyone back to the office even on a hybrid basis. It was all for the sake of a greasy buck - the “economy.” People got COVID because of it, as I saw firsthand (and then was later admonished for “overreacting” to the situation by my asshole bitch boss who I can only hope is rotting in hell this very moment). Bird flu cases on the rise, measles outbreaks, a new coronavirus, RFK Jr., and forcing thousands of disgruntled workers to come and work in close proximity to each other every day. What could possibly go wrong? I fucking hate Mike DeWine. This administration has been the pits. The absolute pits.
I used to say I hated Ohio. I used to say I hated my town. I realized at some point that I hadn’t given my town a fair shake. Nowadays, I pretty much like my town (it has some annoying features, but overall I like the liberal bubble-ness of it), but I’ve really come to really hate Ohio. There’s too much ignorance, too many religious idiots, and too much political conservatism - - all of which I anticipate will become more intense and insufferable as the Trump administration carries on.
Went to a writer’s group at a local public library. It was interesting and I’ll probably go back, but I think I also want to take more of a formalized class/learning experience. Peer feedback was ok, but I’d appreciate coaching from a more scholarly source, I think.
Helped produce two training events at work on emotional intelligence, a session on persuasiveness/persuasion in training and presenting, and a lunchtime session for Black History Month. Personally, I hate “lunch & learn” events and feel like employees should be paid for getting trained if you’re training them. Professional development, even when just related to being a better informed, more well-rounded individual, benefits the workplace just as much as it does the individual. Organizations should pay people to take training, and pay for people to get trained. (For a long time I’ve said, “If your employees are thirsty, you should give them a drink.” I started saying it because many state agencies don’t pay for employees to have filtered water. They place the burden on the employees to pool money and pay for filtered water out of their own pockets. They’re called ‘water clubs’ and they’re ridiculous. If your employees are thirsty, you should give them a drink. You should also give them two-ply toilet tissue, but that’s a pithy philosophy for another day.)
Worked on scheduling our Employee Assistance Program to be present for our return to office scenario because, you know, we just care so deeply for the mental wellbeing of our employees. (shakes head ‘yes’ while mouthing ‘no we don’t’ and smiling)
Sent thinly covert message of resistance via official channels and felt really good about it.
Highlights from the Week
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A Black Lady Sketch Show; The Last of Us; Last Week Tonight with John Oliver; Somebody Somewhere; What We Do in the Shadows; Pushing Daisies, EVIL; Resident Alien; Severance
Follow me on Trakt, if you’d like: https://trakt.tv/users/wireddifferently
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(None scrobbled on Trakt - I don’t think that’s correct, but I can’t remember)
Follow me on Trakt, if you’d like: https://trakt.tv/users/wireddifferently
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(None this week)
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Press Grille; The Rusty Bucket
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Tori Amos; Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet; Kate Bush; Janet Jackson; Annie Lennox; Aimee Mann; Michael Jackson; Róisín Murphy; Over the Rhine; Kurt Swinghammer; Sheryl Crow
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This update from Heather Cox-Richardson is particularly worrisome. February 22, 2025
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Mousse texture cat food for Maggie; Libraries; a colleague named Liz
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Attended SMART Recovery meeting (in-person 1x; online 1x); attended therapist appointment
