Going backward, I am rushing through the blog as it is already beyond 9:30 at night. I played games with Z tonight while Dondrea and the praise band and choir practiced. Howard’s playing and singing were strong and wonderful, while Z and I went back and forth on board games–Howard is the Choir director and organist at First United Methodist Church and is simply amazing.
Z and I started playing just after 6PM when Z and Dondrea arrived. I felt we should play something less complex than Scythe, so we agreed on Wingspan. Z plays fast, and we played two games in just over an hour. We walked in the park and then played a few rounds of Azul using our more straightforward scoring process.
I won the two Windspan games, but both of us had not managed to get a strong engine going, so both games were low scoring. Z had the game down cold, and I did not have to help her. Each time we were not more than ten points away–anyone’s game.
Wingspan is a game where you fill your bird sanctuary with birds (represented on cards), and your birds lay eggs, or you raid the bird feeder for the right foods to attract the birds, or you collect more potential birds (more cards, not played yet). The birds can be activated, and they then provide various superpowers. Also, each round of play has goals for extra points. It is a delightful game and very positive and has limited player interaction. I recommend the Europe/Asia add-on, as it seems to remove some random luck from the game. The game takes a few plays to understand it and more plays to get good at it. Z is starting to get good–I had to play well to beat her.
Azul is a tile-laying pattern game that we love. We use a more straightforward alternative scoring method that I like better than the original one. No matter how you play it, it is recommended. Z and I had a great time and could have played all night, but it was getting late, and it was a school night for Z. Yes, Z is twelve and plays well!
Before this, I found dinner at the Shack Shack a guilty pleasure and ordered from the same gal who took my order last time, and we agreed I should do the Shroom. I did not know there was no meat. Interesting and not bad at all. Fries are excellent and old-school, at least. Funny, the food delivery guy asked me my name, it was spelled WYOT instead of Wild, and apparently, there was a bet that it was WILD. Often younger folks cannot get my name right as they really can’t believe that there is someone named Wild and so hear Wyot, Wild, Wolt, and other variations. Seeing them betting on my name was funny, and later I waved to the person that took my order–I was not offended. “Just plain Wild, no ‘e,’ like Wild and Crazy, W.I.L.D.,” I often explain.
Preceding this, I finished my afternoon with another status meeting, and I must admit I left it early as I was tired and a bit grumpy, and losing my calm. Details cannot go here, but a fix was needed, and the process was not followed. Growl.
Moving the story further back to the morning, I was able to leave the office in the later morning after the status meetings and doing some research. I am working on my next tasks. I headed to see Susie at the hummingbird house in Portland (Tigard) at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie was waiting in her chair and decided she could do 68F (20C) in the park with a cool breeze–Susie got to wear her coat again this spring/summer.
The park was full of middle-aged kids, pre-teens, and there was pizza and lots of them running all over. Apparently an end-of-school party. I found a bench in the park, still in the sun, parked with Susie to watch the chaos and call Leta, Susie’s mother. Leta could hear all the screaming kids over the phone, and we chatted for a while. Susie looked cold, so we rang off and then circled around the park once, having to dodge kids, parents, and plenty of friendly dogs. It was a short visit as I had to return to the office today. I left with a kiss and a promise to return on Thursday afternoon.
I found lunch at Chipotle, getting a rice bowl with pork and guacamole. I eat pork and guacamole on corn chips; I don’t eat much rice or beans as I fill up on the chips and dip.
Before this, I started the work-from-office day rushing at 6:30. I could not start at 6, just too tired and out of it, and reset to 6:30 and was fully asleep when the alarm woke me at 6:30. I stumbled into the kitchen, found a banana, and made coffee, liberal Fair Exchange, in my French Press. I somehow read emails, Slack channel updates, and the news without being late in the shower and dressed and out the door at 7:30. I reached the office on time, even after meeting two school buses on the road.
Sorry for the rushed blog, but it is already getting late. Thanks for reading.
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