Today 31March2023

I am writing this on 1April2023, and the online jokes are already on YouTube. The rains have paused, and the water is no longer pouring out of my house’s gutters like a broken pipe. When I drove home from Portland last night, Air Volvo flew through puddles halfway over the lane and tossed water as high as its roof. Being an overly polite Oregonian, I did look that there were no folks nearby, then Air Volvo crashed through the puddles–I think I can hear Air Volvo giggle.

It was Friday and a work-from-home day, so I slept into 7ish and did my first Zoom meeting at 8AM, a team meeting. The status meetings went on every half hour through the morning, all on Zoom. The general debate was that our project was two days late, and the weekend was not used to catch up on the lost time. Also, the long-running jobs could not be started on Friday night as originally planned. A clear weekend for everyone–yes.

I followed along as the project continued to run the preparational steps for the data conversions and made Clam Chowder for lunch with some garlic toast (premade in the freezer, Texas Toast brand). The effects of it being Friday and Spring Break started to show as the issues quieted. I headed out in Air Volvo to see Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116.

The traffic was heavy as it was Friday afternoon in Beaverton, and the construction closed various lanes here and there. Without issue and seeing none of Beaverton’s Finest in the pouring rain giving out tickets, I slowly reached Susie’s place.

Susie was in bed, she often rests in the afternoons, but today she had tummy issues and was on her side in her bed. I had to wake her. She was delighted to see me, and we soon called Leta, her mother, on the iPhone. Leta and Susie chatted for some time, seeing each other on FaceTime–I held the phone as Susie was still on her side. Michelle Nixon, who runs the houses, brought in her grandbaby and let Susie hold the child. Susie was delighted, and Leta was still on the phone and happy to watch and talk to Michelle.

After the baby event, it was time for me to leave and Leta to ring off. Susie was disappointed, but no tears and my wet trip to the Volvo Cave was without incident or police involvement. I was tired today. I rested a bit, but kept checking in.

Mariah suggested Von Eberts in the Pearl District in Portland for an early dinner, and I agreed. Back to face Friday night (ugh!), wet traffic. I arrived at 5PM after taking an hour to travel from the Volvo Cave to Portland and saw the messy wet Friday parking situation and thus parked in the parking garage across the street from Von Eberts. Plenty of dry safe parking for a price.

There I had two beers, a set of the world’s best smoked, and then sauced wings. I heard that the wings are so good that the chickens volunteer. The food was great. There are no waiters, you have to use Toast to order, and then very helpful folks deliver your food. American baseball was on the big screens; it was the opening day. Mariah and I talked about some writing we have not done (someday!) and worked a bit. Mariah has finished another month’s end (part of her compensation is sales commission) above the target and was likely a leader this month–all good.

I headed to Powells and met a nice guy in the gaming section, and we talked about role-playing games. He did go Gamestorm and played mostly RPG games (I passed due to the continuing pandemic and all those other interesting colds, flu, and coughs out there now; next year!). I am sure we will see each other again, and we shook hands (I do that now and wash my hand) and exchanged names. While tempted, I managed to just look today. I also still social distance and so I had to wait here and there to get to a book. There are more wonderful cookbooks again–I resisted as I have two I am still reading.

I found the car, found the tiny paper you need to pay in my pocket, paid, and then left. As I have said, there are no issues returning home other than puddles.

I went to bed early. I read a bit, but I was too tired to read much. I have put away the brain cookies and returned to The Song of the Cell from the same author who wrote the history of cancer treatment in The Emperor of All Maladies, which I highly recommend (it won the Pulitzer). This newish book (everything about medicine predating the pandemic seems dated) is an excellent read, and the subject, cells, fascinates me.

I did not return to the radio project as I make mistakes when tired–no time to use glues, knives, hot soldering irons, and cutting wires! The wood box needs to sanded and coated. Next are the nobs, buttons, and casting the buttons into a light display. Soon!

I received more radio project parts, eyeing the next radio already received. I may try to make a PCB board now that I have done two of these. It is fun to code, construct, and assemble these projects.

Thanks for reading.