Wednesday Still Going Slow

I rose around 7 and found my way around 9 to write the blog. I am out of bananas and still have not stopped at 185th Corner Market for some more. I looked at the church fireside and entranceway refresh plans. Later, I looked at Ashey’s proposed church goals. In reaction, I ordered PowerPoint from Microsoft (via App Store) and installed it for the first time on this Apple, and I can now edit and write PowerPoints again. I am not sure that alone gave me nightmares (this Thursday morning), but I was discombobulated this morning.

But Wednesday morning was spent reading emails, updating Quicken (including zeroing Air Volvo’s value from assets), getting news updates (finally, there is the hoped-for cease-fire in the Middle East), and finally focusing on the blog. I spent a few paragraphs on some musing before finishing the story on Wednesday. The blog records the events and my thinking then, and the musing is part of that.

I spoke to David Smith about Air VW the Gray and my experiences with the ID.4 so far, and he shared some of his experiences driving a rented Tesla (the Tesla 3, long-range, lease for over $469 a month). We both found learning to drive EVs a marvelous and strange experience. We both agreed that I could not have done better for the $269 monthly. My perfect credit helped, and putting down $4,000 (including the first payment) helped reduce the monthly rate. I added a ‘Charge’ account to Quicken instead of using ‘Gas & Fuel’ to break out the cost (in 2024, I paid over $2,100 in gas). I am excited to learn more about EV.

For my lovers of gas cars, I agree that EVs are not a great solution. The environmental impact of building the infrastructure is harsh, and the EV makes little sense if it is powered by coal-powered electrical plants. We need to do better. Also, lithium batteries have issues. But, I could not be happier with the entry price I got and the chance to learn more. For you piston-heads, please keep those old gas cars going and tune them up. The cost to the environment for them is mainly a sunk cost now, and I will always smile at a late-model Mustang or other old lead sled passing me in my EV.

Steve, Rev. Wolff-Lynne, Retired, texted me that he was in the area, and we agreed to meet at La Provence Orenco Station for lunch. I finished the blog and mostly published it (the email was hung until the evening when the Mail unexpectedly disconnected from its server). I traveled to Orenco Station and parked in the Retail lot. I had to put in the temporary license number for parking. I found Steve in a booth, drinking coffee. I went French, always having wine at La Provence–it seems the right thing to do, and I ordered a fine local wine for lunch with a breakfast item. Steve followed my lead and had a glass with his sandwich. Steve smiled as I told him I was on church committees again and talked about EV experiences (Steve has one) and my travels. We both rejoiced that we had found someone to share our lives with at our age. Steve and AJ are considering traveling and renting a place for a month (even Orenco) to enjoy new places (some known but could be better-known ones). This is an idea I had and had yet to execute. I found great places available for a month at a time, often for less than 1/2 the cost of hotels (or you could pay the same price and get twice the stay time–another way to think about it–often with a kitchen). It was a great chat, and we look forward to meeting again.

Air VW the Gray dropped Steve off at his vehicle with him impressed with the fine American-made car (with German engineering, of course). For those wondering, leasing does not get you the tax credit, but at least Oregon will do the registration for less, lowering the buy-in cost for the lease for me. To some degree, the $7500 Federal credit to VW explains why I got the low price. I headed home.

I would like to tell you I cleaned the house, did church paperwork, completed my 2024 paperwork, and got my office working again, but that would not be true. I took a nap. I was cold and still fighting (and winning) the cough—blankets were good. I rose and reheated some of the eggplant and sausage Italian-style bake, and Corwin stopped by. He still gets his packages delivered here, and I made him the same dinner. We chatted for a while, and then we headed out.

Air VW the Gray arrived at First United Methodist Church in Beaverton, but instead of parking at the church, I toured the library parking lot and soon located the chargers (Jack reminded me that they were there). It was another mystery as these chargers were not on my apps. Soon, I loaded yet-another-EV-app, put in my information, and connected it to ApplePay. I then used the app, heard the plug unlock, and plugged it into the EV. And soon, it was charging, but it would cost money this time. The City of Beaverton, according to the app, set the cost. I was not surprised that Beaverton found a new way to charge me. The car would charge for a few hours, it was a level 2 (level 3 being fast and often expensive), and I could leave the VW locked in the parking lot.

Andrew joined Z and me for games tonight. We played in the Fireside room, which I have the information for a plan to refresh; I looked at it a few times while playing. Andrew had not played Ostia before, and soon, he was getting this Mancala game-style movement into his head. I am enjoying Ostia more and more as I play it. It is elegant, and each turn is a puzzle to solve. There are two boards, yours is the Mancala, and then there is the travel board, where resources are invested and earned. Also, the multiple goals make the puzzle multi-dimensional. The game is an efficiency puzzle and race. In this play, Andrew had to do choir, meaning we ended early and scored. I pulled ahead, with Andrew being beaten by Z by a few points.

According to the app, Air VW the Gray was done charging for $1.74. Z and I headed out to move the vehicle. Z got Z’s first driving lesson in the library parking lot. It took a moment to find the seat adjustment lever (this is a more manual car), and soon, Z could reach the pedals. Z was shocked by how quiet and easy the VW moved but did not know what the pedals were for; more explanation next time! Z drove about twenty feet.

Z and I tried Furance for our next game. It is our go-to for a short, less brain-bending game. I recommend the base game. Z took the game by a few coins, as we ended early as the choir finished. Dondrea tried out the EV with multiple settings and was surprised at how strange it felt. We tried the Eco and regular settings. She was shocked by the sudden slowing when Eco was used to release the accelerator.

We all headed home, and soon after a shower, I was in my PJs and slept. Nightmares did not start until the morning at 6ish. Hmmm.

Thanks for reading.