G M's Personal Meeting Room 2026-08-15

G M's Personal Meeting Room 2026- 08-15 20:59(GMT+12:00) Key Outcomes Two brothers (Stu and Gavin) exchanged weekly personal updates covering family outings, work activities, travel, a solar eclipse, and shared reflections on time management and a book discussion. No formal decisions were required; the conversation was social and informational in nature. Decisions Made • Stu opted for lunch at Kaitahi food court with parents instead of dinner due to bad weather forecasts. 1 • G planned to host the first barbecue of 2026 that evening (Saturday). 2 Key Updates by Person Stu: • Had lunch with parents at Kaitahi food court; Stu had sushi, Dad had mushroom quiche. 1 • Skipped SeniorNet that week but will attend the upcoming Wednesday session as a committee member. 3 • Step count at ~1 million for the year; last year reached 1.7 million, aiming higher this year. 3 • Showed Deirdre a new episode of his ongoing written story — the episode involves a Station with upgrades that partially fail. 4 • Contacted two former mainframe-era colleagues: one via LinkedIn, one via GNS Science voicemail (called Monday, no response yet). 5 • Former colleague was involved in the NZ comedy film Black Sheep; Stu wanted to ask himrelated questions. 5 • Culled approximately one-third to two-thirds of his music collection during a recent move; also parted with Tintin and Asterix books. 6 • Received G's book delivery; noted the cardboard vacuum-sealed packaging is difficult to open. 6 G: • Attended a Saturday lunch at a workmate's home in Canterbury; Korean food served, followed by games with the family and their ~12-year-old Border Collie. 7 • Travelled Sunday evening by train to the Synchrotron Laboratory; worked all day Monday until 2 AM with a colleague and lab assistant. 8 • Slept only ~5 hours (3 AM–8 AM) after the lab session; drove back (~3-hour trip) with colleague Monday afternoon. 8 • Watched European Swimming and Athletics Championships in the evenings during the week. 8 • Witnessed the solar eclipse on Wednesday — drove ~30 minutes to the coast, observed the full 2-hour event, used a pinhole camera (sun appeared as a "C" shape), and had dinner at a booked pub afterward; returned home at 9:30 PM. 9 • Thursday–Friday: assisted with phone outreach to prospective new students at work (annual activity). 2 • Managed one swimming session during the week. 2 • Lawn has turned yellow after 7+ weeks without rain; wildfire national alerts issued in the area. 10 Feedback Exchanged • Both reflected on the book chapter about "time sappers" — interruptions (especially long phone calls) that consume planned time windows. 11 • G noted roughly half the book's content was already familiar, but some points prompted useful re-reflection. 12• Stu's tip: use voicemail or politely defer calls rather than engaging open-endedly; key is knowing what the call is about, not just whether it's "urgent." 12 Pending Confirmation • Whether Stu will present at the upcoming SeniorNet Wednesday session (attending regardless). 3 • Response from former GNS Science colleague (voicemail left Monday). 5 • Whether it will rain this weekend — no rain for 7+ weeks locally. 10 • G undecided on which new TV series to start next week. 13 Action Items • Stu: Attend SeniorNet Wednesday session; confirm presentation role. 3 • G: Host first barbecue of 2026 Saturday evening. 2 • G: Update Stu on new TV series choice next Saturday. 13 Next 1:1 Next Saturday (implied by recurring weekly schedule).