Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.
Well, it’s been a week you guys. Lots going on over here, so let’s dive right in.
Last weekend, we contacted our landlord because we had a (recurring) leak under the kitchen sink (I investigated the drainpipe setup, and let’s just say, it’s a jerry-built construction), and I had also noticed water puddles in our backyard around an (old) sprinkler head. That seemed odd as these sprinklers have never worked since we moved here, and any small amount of water would have evaporated (we’ve been having a little heatwave for the last week).
When the landlord inspected the two issues earlier this week, he said he would be able to fix the drainage leak issue this weekend (yay!), but that the city had flagged the property as having a potential water leak and so they’ll probably have to dig up the backyard (dang). Water leaks in California during a drought can be fined heavily, so this is not good. I guess I am just glad we’re not the owners of the property, just observant tenants!
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On Monday morning, my work laptop died. As in, wouldn’t turn on at all, wouldn’t make a ‘beep’. After my attempts at troubleshooting (self do, self have!), I eventually realized that there was no way around it: I had to go to the office and talk to IT. Luckily, I don’t live very far from my office and could just pack up the laptop and drive over. I dropped it off with IT and went upstairs to my cubicle to wait for the diagnosis, which sadly was that the motherboard blew out and I’ll need a replacement. Fun!
Well, it was one of many hand-me-down laptops in my career, so maybe it’s about time that I’ll get a brand-new one for a change. This whole ordeal also meant that I got a first unexpected half workday back at the office. I’ll officially go back part-time on June, 1.
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On Tuesday, I had to go back to the office for a meeting with my new supervisor. I forget if I mentioned that lots of changes are happening at work (with people transitioning back to the office) and I also recently switched research groups to hopefully accommodate my interests and skillsets a little better.
I decided that it’s probably a good idea to do the first initial meetings with my new supervisor in person (not over Teams), so we can get to know each other better and build a rapport. So far, I have a good first impression and I think the group switch will be good for me in the long run, but lots of new responsibilities and things to learn as I adjust to my new supervisor’s managing style and personality.
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On Wednesday, we had tickets to see Pearl Jam. You guys, If you know me, you know that I am a huge Pearl Jam fan (name that song in my blog name!) and if you know Pearl Jam, then you know they rarely go on tour and the tickets are always sold within minutes! I had scored tickets for the (original) Pearl Jam Tour in spring 2020. Then Covid hit, and the tour was postponed. Until this year, when the band finally felt safe enough to reschedule the tour.
We originally had tickets for Oakland (a 2+ hour drive from here), but I was able to exchange them for tickets here in Sacramento, down the road in the Golden 1 Arena. Jon and I were still hesitant about big events but had hyped ourselves up and talked ourselves out of Covid-concerns (“we’re triple vaxxed, we’ll wear masks”, “this will be the one big event we’re going to”, etc.) and were excited to go!
And then the show was canceled last minute on Wednesday afternoon because not one, but two bandmates tested positive for Covid.
To say that I was bummed is an understatement, but I didn’t doubt for one second that they made the right call. I know for a fact that Pearl Jam didn’t make the decision lightly to cancel the last two shows (Sacramento + Vegas) before their summer break. I know they always have their fans’ best interest in mind and they decided to cancel just as much out of precaution for themselves as for their fans.
I was really upset to see people on social media immediately jumping on their case, being upset for not continuing the tour without a drummer AND bassist, and calling Covid “the flu”. What is wrong with people? If two band members test positive that means everyone else should quarantine, not continue with the shows and possibly cause a new wave. These guys are all over 50 now, too. And we don’t know how individual people might be affected by the virus. If you’re a real fan, you care about the health and well-being of the band and get over yourself.
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On a positive note, my back is 95% better. I don’t know how long back pain usually lasts (I haven’t had to deal with it much), but I read it usually resolves within a few days to a few weeks. Well, that’s a large time range if you ask me, so I feel fortunate that I’ve only dealt with it for about a week until it started to feel noticeably better. I went from not being able to stand upright last Friday and using pain relief patches on my back, to light walking over the weekend, and shorter, moderate bike workouts since Monday. I still have a bit of sensitivity with some movements, but I have basically been back to my exercise routine and I feel good (still taking it easy though). Thanks to everyone who has inquired about my back in the last few days! I appreciate it.
So tell me, how’s your week been?
Suzanne
May 20, 2022 at 8:34 amOh nooooo I am so sorry about the Pearl Jam concert being canceled!!! (Although, I am perplexed by people calling Covid “the flu” as though that means they should play anyway? I wouldn’t want to play a concert if I had the flu either… nor would I be particularly excited about *getting* the flu at a concert I attended…)
Two days in the office! How was it? Did it feel weird? Are you feeling ready to go back part time?
San
May 20, 2022 at 1:46 pmYes, so true! I wouldn’t even want a band to play a show (or come to work!) when they have the ‘flu’!
It did feel nice, but also a little weird being back in the office. I am still masking around others and I don’t know how I am going to feel when I have to sit in our open-space office more regularly. I guess we’ll see. I am glad I can still work on a max telework schedule and only have to come in one a week!
Elisabeth
May 20, 2022 at 2:59 pmSo glad to hear your back is feeling better; injuries are both a nuisance and a source of anxiety because there’s no telling how long they’ll last.
Bummer about the concert, but sounds like the right decision for all. Hope you’re able to see them play sometime in the near future!
Hope the water issue is fixed quickly!
AnYa
May 20, 2022 at 3:28 pmThose aren’t real fans. Even with a mild case, it’s possible to still run a fever and be extremely exhausted. My husband tested positive for COVID on Monday (he’s a teacher and the new variant is very contagious) and for three days he had fevers on an off and developed a sore throat. He’s much better today – day 4. It’s been mild but still requires some time for the body to rest. I don’t know why I’m still surprised by grown adults acting like five year olds
Nicole MacPherson
May 21, 2022 at 7:34 amWow, what a week. Too bad about Pearl Jam. It’s perplexing that people think they should have continued their tour. I mean, really? REALLY? Well, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.
I am so glad your back has improved! Back pain is just awful. And hooray for an interesting new research group AND new laptop for work!
NGS
May 21, 2022 at 10:04 amThat sounds like quite an upsetting week, to be honest. You’re much less whiny about the concert and water problems than I would have been. I’m glad your back pain has cleared up, at least. That’s a positive!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
May 22, 2022 at 1:34 amI am sorry you were not able to enjoy that concert. I can read the excitement between the lines here. However I also believe it was the right choice and I agree the real fan would be understanding. You never know what kind of health predisposition people have and where their families are. I am hoping the do the concerts at a later date so you can enjoy that experience. Glad to hear your back feels much better.
Anthea
May 22, 2022 at 10:36 pmGlad your back is feeling better – sore backs are not fun. Glad you could get back into your workout routine.
Sorry about the Pearl Jam concert – I can imagine you were super excited to go.
It is disappointing when people compare Covid to Flu and don’t take what is happening seriously. Nobody knows the pre-existing conditions another person has and how that affects their risk.
Stephany
May 24, 2022 at 6:32 pmUgh, I am so, so sorry to hear about the Pearl Jam concert being canceled. I am honestly not one bit surprised about people who were complaining and wanting them to play anyway. If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that people are inherently selfish and all about themselves and what they want.
Isn’t it lovely being a renter sometimes? All the house maintenance stuff isn’t your problem! It’s so nice to be able to call up my landlord when I have maintenance issues and make them take care of it. :)
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
May 26, 2022 at 9:00 amUgh that is a bummer about the Pearl Jam concert. And it’s extremely disappointing to hear what fans were saying about the cancelation. That is awful for so many reasons – public health, respect for the bands health, etc etc. When you are sick, you can not be out and about, especially when it’s a highly contagious virus. Gosh people are idiots.
May is turning out to be pretty awful for us between me having covid and still not feeling fully recovered, Will also testing positive and being home for 10 days, and Paul having a different stomach bug that wiped him out for 4-5 days. I hope we hit a healthy stretch soon because the last 6-8 months have been AWFUL.
Anne
June 4, 2022 at 9:28 amOh, my goodness, San, you seem to have had such an unsettled week! Leaks in the house and backyard (although I second Stephany’s comment about landlords… that is one super-nice thing about renting!), laptop death, new team leader, canceled concert… Good on you for making it through. Weeks that go sideways – even if they’re not *horrible* – are not fun. Here’s hoping things are more settled next week. And, man. I’m so sorry about Pearl Jam. What on earth were those “fans” thinking? Perform with COVID? Are they nuts? (Don’t answer that…)
Take care…