Today 13Sept2023

Wednesday started just before 6AM, with me having slept the evening and did not wake to take my night meds. I thought about skipping the bike ride, but I got going, filled the electric kettle, and climbed into the Immoble Schwinn. I also got Bloomberg to play at the same time. I rode for a 1/2 trip of fifteen minutes and 3.4 miles not traveled. The Bloomberg folks debated whether the news was good or bad on the state of the economy. There was no conclusion, but later, I learned the market did fall just a bit.

I made an NYC bagel (thanks, Joyce) with a small cup of yogurt and fruit for breakfast. I read emails, Slack channel updates, and the news online. I was trying to be prepared for the day. Next, I showered, dressed, and boarded Air Volvo. I arrived without issue at the Nike WHQ Swift building, our new place, before my first meeting at 8:05. Most of the meetings in our project start at +5 minutes to allow for a break between meetings for all the obvious reasons.

The day was the usual collection of Zoom meetings, mostly status meetings, with a few alignment meetings. I headed out after 11AM to see Susie and arrived, also without incident (but with plenty of construction), at Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie was wearing the new Detroit Lions shirt I brought her yesterday. We headed out to the park next door, Metzger Park, and I zipped up Susie’s light coat worn over the new shirt. It was cool in the shade. The sun came out, and it was soon hot and actually humid from the recent Oregon Mist. I was coughing from my allergies–Fall is here (cough, cough).

In the sun, we reached Leta, Susie’s mother, who was delighted to see me doing OK after so much travel. We had a friendly, quick chat. I had to return to work and find lunch, so today was a short visit. I returned Susie to the hummingbird house from the park, kissed Susie goodbye, and promised to return on Thursday.

Lunch was a salad from Chipotle’s with chips–more like nachos. I returned to WHQ by way of the old building–I did not even notice I had returned to the old building and had to turn around.

Work was just a few more meetings and some discussions. After 4:15, I was getting tired, so I headed out. I stopped at Shake Shack to get a burger, fries, and a Diet Coke. The food helped me wake up; I had the bacon and avocado burger, but I would order a cheeseburger with a slice of avocado–the bacon did not work for me. I also reviewed the rules for the board game Istanbul.

I reached First United Methodist and waited a bit for Z and Dondrea. After they arrived, Z and I played two games of Istanbul (it is easy to reset for another game). The game is an economic game where efficiency wins. You manage resources and move through the cards that represent the game board. You have many options and your turn is simple. The planning is hard. Andrew joined us for a third game, with him learning the game as we went on. We all seemed to enjoy this friendly and easy-to-play game.

Z and I also played some Azul, the tile game. We were out of practice and used our alternative scoring method. Z tried to sneak in a win, but we managed to score slightly better. She scored last, but everyone was within five points–anyone’s game.

It was a great time playing games while the choir and band practiced.

On the drive home, a train blocked the road, and then a confused driver was going the wrong way on a one-way street. All the drivers saw the mess, and we drove slowly to allow the lost car to turn out of the way and get legal. Ugh!

I am tired and forgot to take pictures. Sorry! I also had a 10PM Zoom meeting with India tonight. So it has been a rushed day.

Thanks for reading!