Story 30Sept2022

Working backward, I watched the latest episode of the Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, staying up to almost 1AM, and it was a fast-moving and visually impressive show. The story is finally beginning to move as I expected. The show uses the slow-fast model from the Game of Thrones. It was worth staying up for.

Before that, Air Volvo brought me home from Richard’s house at about 11ish. We have a game of War Room 2nd Edition at 1:45 on Saturday. Richard and I spent hours setting up the game, then we reviewed the rules and checked our knowledge of the rules by proposing moves and attacks and seeing if we knew how to execute them. It is a new game, and the style is more Axis and Allies than other systems we play.

Richard’s photo he sent out the gang of six players on Saturday, “The table is set.”

After that, we played one board game, Furnance, that I had not played before. It uses cards that are a program of steps. It is up to you to run the cards in the most efficient order. The cards are bid on, and it uses a marker process that allows losing bids to be paid compensation from the bank. It was a fast and exciting game; I got to build and run little computer programs–very satisfying for me. I managed to sneak by Richard by one point, 57.

Before heading to Portland, I stopped by Rainy Day Games and learned that they have acquired to space next to them, the former Janes’s Paperbacks, and have tables and collectible card games, Dungeons and Dragons, and a huge collection of 40K in the new space. I could sit (my leg was still hurting, and standing was hard), and I read the new game’s rules.

Yes, I found something to buy. The board game Concordia has a solo version, Concordia Solitaria, now and, more importantly, I think, a two-person versus the machine game–that I want to play. It is now in English, convenient, and finally available at the local game store. Again, you might not be surprised, but I had enough points to get the new game for free, $29.95. I read the rules here and in Portland–I was a few minutes early for Richard.

Next, I went to Tammy’s Hobby store and purchased a plank-bending heating iron. The train guy, who has the best toys, reminded me to be careful as the heat can darken the planks without me noticing. I also told him I have learned that one does not soak the planks in some water. Just apply the heat with care. I learned that the drying of the mounted planks might create issues–it is better to do this with dry wood. The toy man was interested to learn about this change in the process. He wished me well.

Aside: I bought a new wooden ship kit to build. I hope I can find the time to build it–I suspect I will take a week off here and there and not travel and will work on the model. However, I could not resist it as it has a lightning kit and is a cutaway (shows the inside).

After that, I experienced minor traffic on my way into Portland. While it took me thirty minutes, it was still a fast trip. The haze from smoke and dampness hid the mountains from my view on the bridge–about six to ten stories in the air.

Before this, I was working from home as usual on a Friday. I had been ill the days before but was fully recovered. A software upgrade was running, and I had to follow along and help wherever possible.

Interestingly, one of my colleagues is headed home to see her mom in South Africa, her first time back in years; I wish her well–many folks are now making trips delayed by the pandemic and events. I feel for people with reduced immune systems (myself now and Susie, for example) who rightfully fear new variants still popping up like unwanted moles in a Wack-a-Mole game with vaccines instead of a hammer! We can’t travel. I wear a mask in groups and in conference rooms. Ventilation is improved in most places, but I dislike lines, parties, and events (I am not doing funerals). I wish all you travelers well; yes, be well!

Aside (grumble): David and I chatted while I was driving–not touching my phone. We are both shocked by the 20+% increase in insurance on our homes and cars. This is outside inflation, and even the new tradition in corporations of increasing prices by double the inflation rate (8% becomes 16%) while giving raises at the increase of wages (4%, held down by the refusal of most states to raise the minimum hourly rate) cannot explain this. David, bemused, says his assets are falling while his expenses are increasing–both at a fantastic rate! Buckle-up kids–this is going to be bumping!

I managed to step out of work and see Susie at the hummingbird house. The trip to Air Volvo was mainly uneventful. I was passed on the right side by a white pickup with massive tires and unexpectedly going fifty or more in twenty-five and weaving through traffic. He was a great driver, but I was shocked that Beaverton’s police had not jumped him.

A view of the area we call the cedar bench.

Susie was well and in her wheelchair when I got there. She was dressed for outside, so we headed out into Metzger Park. It was a dry day so far, but the skies were looking like fall and winter: grey with clouds. We chatted with Leta, Susie’s mother, who was just finishing shopping in Walmarts, with me sitting on the dry bench in the cedars.

I could only make it a quick trip. I soon had Susie back, and she was headed for sitting in her recliner in the living room after I got a kiss goodbye. Air Volvo then took me back the way I came over Cooper Mountain. The view is lovely, with the gray skies meeting the mountains and pouring over them in a few places. We love rain and clouds here, but Friday was a dry day, and the sun burned away the clouds in the early afternoon, exposing a perfect blue sky. A perfect fall morning!

I picked up three chicken pieces and had them for lunch/dinner. I did snack on some peanuts later, but I had a croissant and liberal coffee for breakfast and Popeye’s spicy chicken for lunch and dinner. I had to be in Richard’s and did not want to fit in more eating into my busy day; indeed, lunch was enough! That was a lot of food!

The morning was working online for the shoe company. I started at my usual 6:15 and showered and dressing about 9ish. I had slept well with no bad dreams.