Today 14Sept2023

I decided last night to just rest. I was tired, and a class of coffee liquor helped me choose to read and sleep. I did manage my meds before drifting off to sleep and ending with a nightmare just before 6AM. Why I can’t sleep beyond 5:45AM is a mystery to me.

Returning to yesterday, I started the day at 6AM, yes, waking just before my alarm at 5:45, and found the floor with my feet and then padded out to the kitchen and started the hot water in the electric kettle. I seemed to be an ‘and’ heavy morning. And I next climbed into the Immoble Schwinn bike and managed twenty minutes and 4.4 non-traveled miles. Yes, a lot of ‘and’ morning. Breakfast was an NYC bagel with cream cheese and a yogurt in a cup with fruit. I also enjoyed Equal Exchange coffee: The taste of Liberal in the morning.

I read the work and personal emails, Slack channel updates, and the news to prepare for the day. Next, I showered and dressed, grabbed my Nike laptop, and boarded Air Volvo. I managed to not drive to the old building and arrived at the new Nike WHQ building: Swift.

I discovered that Thursday did not have an 8AM meeting, so I worked on some status of my new work. I spent the morning working on that and doing various status and alignment Zoom meetings. I move to the atrium when I have a call and sit at a window to not disturb my co-workers.

I headed to see Susie and again forgot to take a picture when I got there. I arrived without incident at Susie’s place at Allegiance Senior Care LLC, 9925 SW 82nd. Ave. Portland (Tigard), OR 97223; phone (503) 246-4116. Susie had just finished her breakfast and was waiting for me. We then headed outside into the warm September day with clear, dark blue skies. When the sky is dark blue, it means no smoke and no smog. We found a sunny bench in Metzger Park, and I watched for yellow jacket wasps and waved a few away who were interested in Susie.

I used my iPhone to call Leta, Susie’s mother, for a FaceTime call from the park. We had a friendly call. Leta was happy to see the nice weather, and Susie closed her eyes and just listened; she was enjoying the sun. We know that once late October comes (maybe sooner), we will lose the warm Sun until May and, more likely, June (or worse, July). Every warm sunny day is another last chance to enjoy it. The park was less busy, with only pre-school kids and parents. A few dogs were walking their humans. A human left a big dog pile on the park walkway (!). I almost went to find a bag but decided it was best not to chance being covered in dog poo before returning to work. The park supplies poo bags.

I kissed Susie goodbye with a promise of a more extended visit on Friday. I next stopped at the Red Robin (RR) burger joint near Washington Square. I had found a card for RR, likely a gift from Leta, and decided to use it. Previously I discovered that the RR bartender during the weekday is political and had Fox News playing and making many comments that ensured that liberals, like me, are not welcome at RR bar.

I enjoyed my Ensalad Chicken in the regular seating and read the rules for Istanbul, the board game, to remember how to play the Coffee-focused add-on. The staff were happy to keep my iced tea full. Next time, I might order just the one chicken breast version. I am eating less now (thanks, Jack, for that suggestion). After an excellent repast, I headed out, paying a 20% tip and using the gift card–I had to manually add the card number (it took two tries), but it worked. I will be back, but not in the bar.

I returned to work and managed to not drive to the previous building. I got confused in some construction and ended up on a circuitous route through the parking lots, but I arrived just before the very loud fire drill. After that excitement, I returned to my work. My boss, Brad, then decided to meet and discuss the new work. That went on for a few hours. Once that was done, I headed out just before 5PM.

Traffic was heavy, but I arrived via Air Volvo at the Volvo Cave without incident. I microwaved to defrost the chicken I bought before the visit to Michigan. I forgot one was thighs and one was sliced breast. I baked that, cut up, with potatoes, carrots, onion, celery, and Herbs de Provence. The results, while promising at first, were a bit boring–next time, I will add some stock and maybe a few more spices.

Today was Thursday, the second one in September, so it was time for Theology Pub, led by Dondrea. Today’s subject was political, and I will resist covering much of it here. I do not write the blog as a political statement, but I do not hide that I am a Democrat and liberal. The main question we wondered about was how to understand modern Christianity, its mixing with politics, and the joining of the state and religion. Our conclusion was that one needs to see the fruits of groups that claim to be good; good produces good things like feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, not counting members and contributions.

I deleted my rant that was here about feeding and helping people.

I was tired, the traveling over the weekend getting to me, and soon I was sleeping. Mostly nightmares with me wandering and being chased by various unseen forces. In one dream, I am with indistinct friends controlled by some dark force and thus untrustworthy and want me to be captured and made like them, but somehow, I know they are after me, and I slip away to escape. I have escaped before, and I just need to reach a safe place to wake up and be safe. I can fly in this dream, and so I can hide in the dark ceiling of a movie theater. Nearby is my Matrix-like escape. I woke before I was caught or escaped, but I could feel the fear and excitement from the chase even as I woke.

Thanks for reading.