Strange week, not only due to the release of Dr. Strange II, which, according to credible sources, was, well, strange. As an MCU fan, I am compelled to see it, at some point. Apparently, according to the same sources, there was a Dr. Strange in the theater audience. Cosplay, alive and well.
COVID-19 is back. Okay, maybe it never went away. It seems like quite a few companies had mandated return to office (RTO), only to snap back to voluntary in office attendance. I am somewhat torn. On the one hand, the snap back is due to an increase in local infection rates. Not good. On the other, my commute is 50 miles roundtrip. Tough one. Besides, when I’m in the office, I’m still on Zoom, etc., albeit in a conference room, with perhaps a colleague or two. More to come, I am sure.
We’re on day 73 (or so) of the Special Military Operation, aka, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Apparently, there a lot of Nazis in Ukraine, and it is taking more time than expected to remove them. Likewise, liberation is hard work. I am beginning to suspect that some of the people in Ukraine do not want to be liberated. In solidarity, and in support of a local high school PTSO (parent-teacher student organization), I hosted the Ukraine table at the annual international food fair. As some know, I was born in Kyiv. Offerings consisted of assorted dumplings (chicken/pork; potatoes/onions) with ample butter (to avoid sticking, of course), poppy seed danish (perfectly priced at one ticket (dollar) per slice), and Kyivsky Torte (flaky, but rich and delicious). Great as always to support the community, near and far. Similarly, I will be giving a virtual presentation on Friday (May 13, 2022) to California IP attorneys on the impact of the war on technology and IP licensing. Stay tuned.
The grass is always greener, unless you’re in Galway, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Tons of rain, super green. I visited five years ago and would very much welcome the opportunity to visit again. The travel bug is alive and well. Metaphorically, the grass is always greener when searching for, or considering, a new job. The pandemic caused a lot of introspection, including about work and its purpose. Many concluded that their current jobs were lacking, and that there were greener pastures elsewhere. Hence, the Great Resignation. Many, if not most, of those jobs were secured virtually. Yes, it’s possible to measure a prospective employee or manager via Zoom, but it’s not the same thing. Anecdotally, then, we (in the royal sense) may be soon arriving at the Great Realization, that the jobs we left were not that bad, and that we had little idea about our new jobs, dynamics, culture, personalities, etc. Just a thought.
Last, but not least, and switching gears, to sports, the end of the current European football season is quickly approaching. Recent developments have been strange, to put it mildly. Real Madrid somehow advanced past Man City, to the finals of the Champions Leagues, after three goals after the 90th minute of play. SC Freiburg, knocking on the door of its first Champions League appearance (ever?), having put itself in control of its destiny with a fabulous 4-3 win against Hoffenheim last weekend (coupled with an RB Leipzig loss against Gladbach), squandered a perfect opportunity today, losing to Union Berlin 1-4 at home. If Leipzig wins the next two, it, and not, Freiburg will be going to the Champions League, and a heart-to-heart with Coach Streich might be in order. So close, but so far away.
Until next week.
The Peninsula Hiking Club 