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Tuesday, May 5, 2020

2020 - E-Learning - Day 23

It was Day 4 at FedEx last night, and I think I've had some realizations about work there.  1) I'm the old guy, so I probably don't work as well as others.  2) Talking to others isn't really desired.  3) While there is a little good training, the majority of the job is learn to survive on your own.  SUMMARY - I talk to my students all the time about finding a career that will offer a salary and benefits that will permit a person to live comfortably.  There's a mental side of physical part-time work in a plant, though, at least from what I've experienced so far.  The vast majority of people in "the system" aren't happy.  This work is difficult; it's often in isolation; it's tiring; it's odd hours - it's not fun.  I'm not saying that work has to be fun - heck even teaching isn't fun all the time.  On the other hand, going to a job that is "individual" in nature and not really fun probably takes an emotional and mental toll on folks.

Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (5/5)
So it appears that Illinois cases are beginning to plateau, but will states that are easing restrictions have an effect on Illinois recovery attempts?
  • Illinois Stats
    • February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
    • March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.
  • PREVIOUS
    • 319,313 tested (+19,417); 61,499 positive (+2,994); 2,618 deaths (+59)
      • 19.2% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.2% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • YESTERDAY
    • 333,147 tested (+13,834); 63,840 positive (+2,341); 2,662 deaths (+44)
      • 19.1% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.1% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • TODAY
    • 346,286 tested (+13,139); 65,962 positive (+2,122); 2,838 deaths (176)
      • 19.0% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
    • Mixed results today...lower percentage of positive cases; higher percentage of deaths.
  • Rock Island County - YESTERDAY 452 positive; 9 deaths
    • TODAY - 454 positive; 12 deaths
Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future
  • TOMORROW - Zoom Bible study 8 a.m.
  • Paint the shed.
  • Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.
  • Fix the ditch.
  • Figure out the truck spare tire.
  • Organize the west wall of the garage.
  • Complete IHSA concussion test.
  • Complete IHSA registering.
Things At/For School
  • Friday, May 10 - 10:30 a.m. - Staff Meeting
  • Continue scoring research papers  - 7 scores left for 7th period.
  • Finish course syllabus
Things For E-Learning
  • Still can update EnvisonMe sites
Prayer for My Heart
Holy Spirit...
Help me have... 
    a pure heart, that I may see thee;
    a humble heart, that I may hear you;
    a heart of love, that I may serve you;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in you.
  • Amen

Monday, May 4, 2020

2020 - E-Learning - Day 22

6:54 a.m. - So I've decided to add a new "new" to the Covid-19 period - a tiny garden.  (adds to Google Meets, nordic walking, and FedEx package handling.  At this point, I'm thinking a couple of cucumber pods, a zucchini pod, a green pepper plant, and 2-3 tomato plants, including a cherry tomato plant.  Amber wasn't really crazy about the plan, but hopefully I can make a believer out of her.

I worked my second day on the docs as a package handler at FedEx yesterday afternoon.  Apparently one day of on-the-job training was enough, because I was pretty much on my own yesterday.  I spent about an hour with another worker, and she was courteous and friendly.  I'm learning that like most other jobs, experience helps a lot.  My body HURTS, and I hope I get use to the physicality of the job.  Honestly, the worst part of last night was the constant up and down of getting in the trailers.

Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (5/4)
I'm getting paid from my "regular job".  I have a wonderful home that permits me to exercise and live comfortably while "stay-at-home" orders are in place.  I've now taken on a part-time job that is "essential", so I can make a little money that makes up for the umpiring and officiating contests that I'm missing.  So who the heck am I to judge folks that are protesting to have states open up, even though the percentage of cases are increasing?  So why am I confused?  Why am I worried?  As these states reopen, are we all just going to be better at not catching the virus?  Are we going to clean better?   Are masks going to make that much of a difference?  Or are we just going to accept contracting the virus as a way of life and if people get sick and die, then that's the way it goes?  Are we just okay with risking our lives and the lives of others?  So while I know I'm blessed, I fear for this push by many folks to just "take my chances."

One other thing....President Trump hosting a virtual press conference with Fox News hosts in front of the Lincoln Memorial makes me ill.
  • Illinois Stats
    • February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
    • March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.
  • PREVIOUS
    • 299,896 tested (+15,208); 58,505 positive (+2,450); 2,559 deaths (+102)
      • 19.5% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • YESTERDAY
    • 319,313 tested (+19,417); 61,499 positive (+2,994); 2,618 deaths (+59)
      • 19.2% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.2% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • TODAY
    • 333,147 tested (+13,834); 63,840 positive (+2,341); 2,662 deaths (+44)
      • 19.1% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.1% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • Not as many tests results today, but percentages continue to decrease slowly.
  • Rock Island County - YESTERDAY 439 positive; 9 deaths
    • TODAY - 452 positive; 9 deaths
Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future
  • Paint the shed.
  • Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.
  • Fix the ditch.
  • Figure out the truck spare tire.
Things At/For School
  • Friday, May 10 - 10:30 a.m. - Staff Meeting
  • Calculate assignments completed for Week 5. DONE
  • Provide feedback on Week 5 assignments. DONE
  • Continue scoring research papers  - 3 sections down; 2 to go
  • Finish course syllabus
Things For E-Learning
  • Still can update EnvisonMe sites
Prayer for My Heart
Holy Spirit...
Help me have... 
    a pure heart, that I may see thee;
    a humble heart, that I may hear you;
    a heart of love, that I may serve you;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in you.
  • Amen

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Sunday, May 3


8:05 a.m. - I didn't sleep well.  I had a what seemed to be a very long nightmare, and in the nightmare I was experiencing a TGA moment, and I couldn't find my way home back to Amber.  I knew she was worried about me, but I didn't have the ability to know who I was and how to get back home.  I ran into many people and everyone I ran into seem to either abuse me somehow or take advantage of me.  When I woke up around 3 a.m. I hadn't yet found home or Amber and was still wandering...I was crying and pleading with people to help me, but no "good people" would help me.  I then started to think and worry about Chase like I often do when I wake up, and I wonder if he's that way now.  I wonder if in his heart he really wants to find a way back home, but there isn't anyone decent available that is willing to help him, and his heart and emotions are hurting.

I think I'm going to stretch, get a nordic walk or bike ride in, and then work on the flower bed and garden outside if the weather is nice.  I may go ahead and water the front yard and work on the weed and feed granules too.  I have a FedEx workout starting at 4 p.m. - that should be interesting.  I won't be with Jared the trainer, and that means I'll be "on my own".  Yikes. 


Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (5/3)

Is is really that big of deal to wear a mask?  Yesterday I need to pick up a few things, and I saw employees not wearing masks, I saw customers not wearing masks, and finally I was in a business where employees and customers were wearing masks and a new customer attempted to enter without a mask.  Mind you, he was an older, heavier set man who would fall in the category of higher risk.  He grumbled at the store employee and walked out.  Really?  It's asking too much to just wear something over your face in the event that you may be a carrier of the Covid 19 virus.  Geez.
  • Illinois Stats
    • February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
    • March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.
  • PREVIOUS
    • 284,688 tested (+14,791); 56,055 positive (+3,137); 2,457 deaths (+102)
      • 19.6% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • YESTERDAY
    • 299,896 tested (+15,208); 58,505 positive (+2,450); 2,559 deaths (+102)
      • 19.5% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.3% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • TODAY
    • 319,313 tested (+19,417); 61,499 positive (+2,994); 2,618 deaths (+59)
      • 19.2% of all tests recorded have tested positive
      • 4.2% of all positive cases recorded have died
  • More tests are being completed each day., and the percentage of positive cases among all tests continues to decrease...good news.
  • Rock Island County - YESTERDAY 412 positive; 9 deaths
    • TODAY - 436 positive; 9 deaths
Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future
  • Hoe the flower bed. DONE
  • Clean and prep the garden. DONE
  • Paint the shed.
  • Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.
  • Fix the ditch.
  • Figure out the truck spare tire.
Things At/For School
  • Get lessons listed on Daily Lessons Sheet. DONE
  • Get lessons for Week 6 scheduled into Classroom. DONE
  • Calculate assignments completed for Week 5.
  • Provide feedback on Week 5 assignments.
  • Continue scoring research papers  - 3 sections down; 2 to go
  • Finish course syllabus
Things For E-Learning
  • Still can update EnvisonMe sites
Prayer for My Heart
Holy Spirit...
Help me have... 
    a pure heart, that I may see thee;
    a humble heart, that I may hear you;
    a heart of love, that I may serve you;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in you.
  • Amen