Thursday Travel Day

As usual, I had trouble sleeping when traveling the next day, even when traveling late. I slept poorly and was awake at 5. I finally accepted my lack of sleep and rose at 6. There were my usual traveling tasks, now that I travel mostly alone, that needed to be completed. I plan to wash the sheets and remake the bed; it will feel fresh on my return. I put away the dishes in the dishwasher and would wash all that was left in another dishwasher run, and even hand wash the few I missed. Clothing and towels were put away. I washed my robe and all the towels I used. I started these tasks and did some while writing the blog. Today would be a blur of activity.

I downloaded the Quicken transactions and looked up the interest paid on my CD investments, as it is not updating. I checked my rate of interest, and it could pay the mortgage for a year if I locked in more cash. I moved some later to reduce the 0% interest in checking. A first step.

I packed my grey suit, dress shoes, underwear, socks, PJs, and so on in my folding luggage. It can be carried on and has wheels but barely closes. I will check it and not be that guy. My meds, spare clothing, laptop, cables, Kindle, and battery pack are in my gym bag, which I will carry on.

I spaced it was Thursday and headed early to the sushi track nearby in the Aloha Mall, a strip mall within walking distance of The Volvo Cave, but I took Air Volvo. I got my first pieces of sushi and miso soup and saw Scott’s text that he would be at lunch. Oops. I paid for my tiny lunch and gave them a 30% tip with apologies. They were happy to get paid. I headed to Elephants Delicatessen in the Cedar Hills Crossing, ten minutes away.

I beat Scott by a few minutes. We both passed on the unique slow process of the deli salads and had tuna melts. I discussed possible travel plans with Scott, thinking more travel would benefit me. Scott is thinking of easier (cheaper) travel in the US, where he could meet his kids for a school break. We talked about money and my reshuffling my 401K to slightly longer horizons but still in the same types of investments. We need to get cash working for us, not in low/zero-interest accounts. High dividend equities were also in our thoughts, with Scott mentioning some mining companies and Verizon. Scott also told me that he is still trying to get used to not working. It is a weird feeling.

After Scott and I said good day and planned to meet in two weeks, Air Volvo took me back to The Volvo Cave. I set the timer for the orchids’ light, and they now get 14 hours of lighting a day. I finished the laundry, made the bed, and replaced the towels. I tried to watch the next episode of “Murders Only in the Building” on Hulu but woke after I nodded off. It was not a problem with the show. I put away the last of the dishes and washed the rest by hand.

I decided not to sleep but instead get some steps in, and I walked about 3,500 steps in the neighborhood between downpours. I have switched to the brown wool cowboy hat. I got some Oregon Mist and talked to the neighbors, who were all happy to get the rain back.

Next, I called Hilton and, after some long waits, got my hotel room assigned to my rewards number. I updated Expedia, and this should not happen again. I have not been able to fix my Alaska miles reward program. I often call when they are closed or don’t have an hour to wait for them.

It is time to move, which means I take a shower (while waiting on the call, ready to kill the water when they return—but I finished before they did) and dress in my traveling clothing. That is a dress shirt under a floppy sweater and nice dark-colored pants (in case I spill something). I shave, which results in me looking cleanly shaved on Friday until the early evening, and other things to keep me fresh while traveling. All learned tricks and skills from many all-nighters.

I put the last power cables into my gym bag and my laptop. I load that and my checked bag into Air Volvo and spend ninety minutes crawling across Beaverton and Portland on Thursday night (the worst) traffic. There is no reason to describe it—it is just slow. I park Air Volvo in the economy red lot near a light and take the first picture of the trip: “Where is Air Volvo parked?” picture. I chat with folks on the bus who explain that Chicago ruined my minorities and leftwing politics. I smile. They point out that things worked when the Daleys were in charge. I do not supply a different opinion as these observations were stated as a form of truth. I have heard the same claims made about Portland (different mayors). I later saw the same guy in first class on my plane to Chicago; he said hello when I greeted him.

I have a Theology Pub at 7 and discover that I am too early to check my bags (this will be a theme for this trip). I found a bar near the Alaska bag check (all new and shiny, as is much of the remodeled entrance hall at PDX). There, I have a gin and tonic and a chicken sandwich (no pet meat, despite rumors to the contrary) and then connect to Zoom for the church meeting. It is well attended tonight, and Z even speaks with her grandmother. The subject is simple and impossible. What is Truth? How do we use it?

While we covered all the obvious items, I think we determined that truth is a process or journey. It is crucial to talk, push against weak arguments, and learn what others think and say. This ability to calmly and clearly discuss allows us to find the truth. Things we believe are true need to be tested and measured. The process is critical and must be fair and transparent.

I paid my bill and moved to baggage check, which is now a do-it-yourself process. I managed to get the sticker on the bag and place it on the scanner, but it refused to scan. I got help, and some careful placing of barcodes made it work. Next, my ID had to be on a plate simultaneously—oops. Once that was corrected, everything went, and my bag was accepted and disappeared on a track.

I misread my boarding pass. I was now assigned seat 8E (an upgrade to premium), but I read that as gate E8. I did security for E, the line was short, and the new equipment was fun. The crew running it was smiling and talking a lot to make us feel more comfortable. Excelllent.

I took the long corridor to C7, which lets you reach other terminals, like C, my actual gate location. I found coconut shrimp for a snack and started this blog. I wrote until twenty minutes before boarding. I was happy to be upgraded (and not pay $108 for the seat). My seat was between two gals who were quiet for the trip. I learned at the bag pick up in Chicago that one was headed to a funeral and the other to see her daughter (one in DC, one in Chicago, and none on the West Coast) and had reservations at Alinea, the greatest restaurant in the USA (and maybe the world). I looked at that and decided not to pay the $700, but I have read the story of the place and have their drink books (I gave them away for Christmas). I was happy for her.

It was a 3:20 flight, and I slept about an hour. It was comfortable, but I was itchy from the dry air, and my feet hurt until I removed my shoes. I read and slept. I also texted Deborah, who was up early, to catch a train to meet me in Chicago.

I will stop there. I made it to the hotel, but that will be in the next blog.