work silliness

We have a ceremony for people who leave. People nominate nicknames, people vote for their favorite, people say nice things, then there is a little something read about the name, and then there is a certificate reading. 

For my unofficial boss' ceremony last week I was asked to read the certificate and at the last minute someone said something about an accent so I hammed it up and rolled my r's. I was then asked to do the reading for the person whose ceremony was today. I hammed it up again and had everyone rolling. 16 minutes after the conclusion I was asked to do someone else's! 

The person whose ceremony is today is the loveliest, funniest, most positive energy people you can imagine. She is what I pretend to be. I slap on a smile and give a warm greeting, creating a virtuous, upbeat cycle. She just is. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” She is one of those people who make you feel fascinating and special. I don't think I've ever been so sad to see a co-worker go. 


The bird bath was originally used only by crows dipping their Cheetos. Now I get to see other birds drinking from and even bathing in it. Catbirds never come for food but do come to the garden. Cardinals, sparrows, doves, and a squirrel climbing up one of the deck supports all entertain. 

The WSJ says hundreds of Russian soldiers have escaped the fighting or refused to take part. Military analysts and Ukrainian officials say it has been many more than that. The desertions put Russia in a bind. How to punish them without drawing attention to their issue? They also can't file criminal charges because Russia never declared war. Mainly they are being dismissed. 

Putin has fired five generals and one police colonel. 

Meanwhile, rich businessmen in Ukraine are fighting. Vsevolod Kozhemyako, founder and CEO of Agrotrade Group, one of Ukraine's largest grain production, storage, and export companies, set up and leads his own light infantry battalion. "It's formally known as Khartia or "charter," and consists mostly of civilians. It's casually called the "billionaire's battalion," referring to Kozhemyako's wealth in Ukrainian currency, not dollars. Along with other wealthy Ukrainians, Kozhemyako pays for training, weapons, and vehicles." Before the war he would run, bike, ski, and golf. His battalion is made up of volunteers.