I went to the beach today to see a sunset. I saw it it set behind the towers of Chicago.
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I went to the beach today to see a sunset. I saw it it set behind the towers of Chicago.
When I purchased my house, I thought my heating system was bonkers. It used hot water from a tank and blew the air over that to be heated up. Like a boiler... kinda? I had made some inquiries to businesses in the area because if this broke, who would fix it? The best lead I got was familiar with the system but didn't service it. I knew that when the system goes, I would be replacing it with an entirely new system. Well that day came.
The old system with its water tank. |
The new system. Notice the old water tank is gone. |
I ordered my Ford Escape PHEV on October 13, 2022 and I finally took delivery on September 1, 2023.
h/t to my salesman |
Kitch-iti-kipi is a spring with amazingly clear water. I got there at park opening and aside for a park worker, I was the only one there. I took the raft out to the middle of the lake to watch the sediment get disturbed the water gushing from the ground as well as watch the fish. When I came back, three other people were waiting for me to dock. One couple turned out to be from South Bend. Small world!
Vacation! Most of the time I spent at home doing some odds and ends. I decided, though, that I needed to see more of my state. This would be my third trip to the UP but the first time, I'd visit the western end.
The first destination is Superior Falls which is on the far western point of Michigan. When I got there, there was a couple from Pennsylvania that was heading back to their car. They asked me if I knew where the falls were. I had to admit that I didn't know because this was my first visit. I knew there were falls, though. The guy said that they saw some water pipes at a power station but that was it. As I made my way up the river, I came to the place they had mentioned. I went through the facility to continue along the river and shortly after, saw the falls. It was shame they had not gone further.
Traveling east I came to the Lake of the Clouds. I hiked a little along the path but the bugs really were unbearable.
The Dems in my home state of Michigan did very well. Governor Whitmer was able to fend off Tudor Dixon. The Attorney General and Secretary of State also held their seats. Proposition 3 which would protect abortion access in the state constitution also passed. These wins weren't unexpected though. What I wasn't paying attention to was that the Democrats have now taken the State House and State Senate. I have always accepted that the Republicans would hold on to the legislature and it would take a massive shift in public opinion to kick them out. While I wouldn't say that there is a massive shift, I'm happy to be wrong all the same.
I expect the governor to take this power and run with it but let her be warned--what happens in the next two years will be on her and her party. I wish her well.
Queen Elizabeth II died today. It wasn't a surprise as she was up there in years and we have seen her health decline. The last I had heard about her in the news was greeting the new Prime Minister. Then the very last was this morning when it was announced that the palace was concerned about her health and that family were being called in.
My republican, anti-monarchy views aside, I have, on the whole, viewed the Queen in a positive light. It was evident that she was devoted to her people and her committed to her duty. There was something about her commitment to constitutional monarchism that was comforting but also frustrating. How can remaining above politics be a force for change or for good?
An age ends and another begins. I do not hold hope that King Charles III or Prince William will exude the same aura and presence. No they seem like common folk to me. Queen Elizabeth seems like she was the last of the grand monarchies. The ones shrouded in mystery and magic. And into history those should go.
I will be interested to see how the new king reigns. Will he be reserved like his mother or will he use his power to advocate for the changes he wants? I don't know yet. I'll be watching. Long live the King.
I've tried to avoid blogging about work but it has been consuming my time and thoughts lately. My transfer back has been approved. I was called earlier this week and gave my verbal acceptance of the "offer". I signed my paperwork on Thursday. Then, I found out my effective date of the transfer is the 5th.
Usually, transfers are planed a minimum of two full weeks out. The reason is that schedules are created that far in advance. Also, the transfer has to take place on a Monday as that is the start of a new pay period. I had steeled myself to tough it out for another three weeks for good measure. So an effective date of the 5th was both relieving and concerning.
It's relieving as I can finally stop stressing over the current job demands. But it's concerning because this is unusual and it makes me wonder if they are throwing me into a project that they might not want to be handling at the moment. In addition, my schedule hasn't been updated and I'm not sure what hours I will be working past this Sunday. My official schedule still has me on overnights and does not reflect the transfer of position.