October 11th

The day started with French Toast for breakfast and then the morning janitor meeting, which included a class on the different types of falls: slips, trips, and falls from a distance (presented by whom I later learned was the campus hairdresser). We were told to "practice social distancing" if we believe we may be sick.

They ask again for volunteers to work the night shift, I spent most of the falling class convincing myself the night shift wouldn't be so bad as it is always daylight out, and I will still be off during the hours when all of the social events happen. I volunteered for the night shift. They gladly accepted my offer and gave me a special card which, among other things, allows me to buy alcohol from the bar in the morning.

I will be off work from the end of today until Sunday at 10pm, to "transition" to working night shifts, which mostly means I have to see how late I can stay up the next 3 nights. There is a meal served at midnight, so my goal is to stay up until at least then. Spent the morning cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming a dormitory. In the afternoon, I was taken on a long tour of the big lab on campus, apparently where the night crew spends the bulk of their time. And then I mopped what is locally known as 'Highway 1' (the main hallway in the main building on campus).

Today's weather was rated condition 2. Which means that it's not okay to walk around outside for recreational purposes. The temperature felt the same as yesterday, just a lot more wind.

In an effort to stay up late to transition, a movie date was set for 10pm with my night-shift co-workers (who all happen to be 50+ year old women) who are also trying to transition. The movie chosen for the dinner date was Steel Magnolias. I spent the rest of the night with a long phone call to the girlfriend and another to the parents, some time surfing the internet and a bit of time working on Spanish lessons. I was able to stay up until 6am, late enough to eat breakfast before heading to bed.