Friday Busy

The morning started with the alarm, announcing at 6:30 that I had managed to roll over and get ten more minutes of sleep. I woke, like when I worked for a living and had a daily alarm, just before the alarm, and then rolled over and was shocked by the sudden alarm. It would be emotionally better to climb out of bed, but the blankets feel so good. I made liberal coffee, Equal Exchange, in my French Press. I had almond croissants from Paris Baguette Bakery in Beaverton. I used to get them in NYC, and l was thrilled when one opened in Cedar Hills Crossing.

My morning trip into Portland was in Rush Hour traffic, but I arrived with plenty of time with only a thirty-minute trip (+10 mins from no traffic travel). Air Volvo had no issues. I also spoke to TV Highway Automotive, and they have the part for Air Volvo (the fill flap is leaking air); I will be there Monday to get that fixed. As you, dear reader, can imagine, the Engine Check Light has now gone out now that we have a fix. I will get the now-working gas fill flag replaced on Monday.

I had written the blog the previous night and had an 8:15 doctor appointment with my oncologist. I took Air Volvo with just one cup of coffee consumed and headed to the OHSU Knight Cancer Center at Legacy in Portland. This is a check-in and lab appointment. United Healthcare, my insurance is still good from Nike, denied my doctor’s request for a CT scan to check that the cancer did not reappear. I wanted to check if we wanted to fight that (yes, we do) and that it is a normal practice (yes, it is) and ask doc to re-order the test (done). I will invest in fighting and, in the end, will pay for it myself (doc let me know to let him know as there are reduced cost providers). But the good news was that the labs and the specific tumor factor lab all showed improvements and no signs of new cancer. We will meet again in three months and hopefully have a CT scan to review this next time.

Air Volvo had me in the Pearl district next and parked in the garage. Since Friday is a work day, parking will be $21 for the day. I am an hour early, plus a little more before Powell’s City of Books opens. I am meeting Misha and his family there. Anneliese and Lorelei, the daughters, are looking forward to a large bookstore with mixes of new and used books (without sales tax). With spare time and a cool, slightly cloudy day, I walk to the Park on Park Street and get some steps in.

One of the street people sitting on a bench with a friend sees me and asks what kind of blood draw I did, “Plasma?” They sell blood and plasma and had thought me local as I was walking with a bandage on my arm. I told them about a cancer test, and we had a nice chat. They were happy that I passed my test. We exchanged health stories, and all survived cancer these past years. It was strange to be mistaken for a street person, but not many people are walking the street with bandages that are not street people.

I said many good mornings and received a surprising number of friendly replies, but only one offer to let me buy some mushrooms (I think that was what was offered). I demurred and kept walking. I put on 3,000+ steps and then headed back up the hill to the Pearl and Powell’s. Soon, Misha, Hope, Anneliese, and Lorelei arrived at the front door of Powell’s–walking as the bus was missed, which opened a few minutes later at 10. We arranged to reassemble at 11, and I had coffee at the cafe while they enjoyed finding used books and other treasures.

It was still too early for lunch, so we walked again past the park and into the sketchy part of Portland and the Chinese Garden. I bought the tickets because I had a membership with two entrances. We spent an hour or more wandering the garden. Hope, and I could have spent the afternoon enjoying it.

Next, we walked up the hill and through the part (again) and found food carts that did not fit the bill. Misha found more on his phone, and we walked another four blocks to those. There we had lunch. Chicken fingers for the girls, something gluten-free for Misha and Hope, and both went for India-styled food. After learning the code for the restrooms, used same, we returned to the same sketchy area. Sadly, Anneliese was too young for the underground tour, and Misha and she headed to the park (yes, again). Anneliese made new friends and enjoyed playing outside.

Hope, Lorelei, and I got the Shanghai Ghost tour under Old Town Pizza for the next ninety minutes, which, while strong in the story, was mostly touring disused basements and dodging plumbing. I can see that it is spooky and gloomy, and I suspect the old buildings (1880s) have many events (some captured on video and shared with us). I knew the original long tunnels were long gone (I recreated them in a role-playing adventure I wrote set in 1990 Portland), and these connected basements were all that survived. I cannot recommend the tours, but this might work for you if you like ghost stories and trudging through dark places with unlevel floors.

The Old Town Pizza owners found a nice piece of stained glass and put it in their basement (tunnels), where they have a bar set up. Our tour guide poured some beer for some of us. Hope and I had some; it was quite good. I skipped the free drink at the bar later, but seeing us still there, the tour guide showed us some related areas in the upstairs bar.

Next, walking to the park (yes, again), we found Misha and Anneliese, back to Powell’s (again), and some shopping. Misha and family found a spot in Powell’s to do a little video conference with a cousin who had a birthday back out East. It was too early for dinner, so we decided that Misha and their family would head back to the hotel (and across the Park again), rest, and find dinner later. I would head home.

Air Volvo encountered little traffic and no events. However, crossing Beaverton seemed to take forever, as every light seemed to stop Air Volvo. Finally, I arrived. My rack for the flower pots had been delivered and was outside the door. I am starting back on orchids and need a place to keep them. I have lights, trays, and now a rack for them.

I made Trader Joe’s frozen Chicken and Mushroom dinner for dinner. This requires defrosting everything in the microwave first. I also made fresh rice to go with it. It was delicious. While eating, I watched the next episode of Sandman. Episode six includes the introduction of a lovely woman, who we slowly learn is Death, and then we learn that Dream, the star of the show, and Death made a bet about a human. This is one of the best episodes, though quite sad when Death does her work.

I started to write the blog as I will not have time in the morning unless I rise early. I invited Corwin to enjoy my leftovers, and then we will head to a movie, Borderlands, based on a video game. I kept writing and finally finished (now). Thanks for reading. 13,000 steps for the day.