Thursday With Pirate Z

On Thursday, I woke too early; my nose was filled, and my ears were blocked (though it bothers my one working ear). I threw on my clothing. I collected the soaking wet clothing I rescued from The Machine’s floods, newly soiled clothing and towels, and detergent, and loaded it all into the cargo hold of Air VW the Gray. I stopped at the ATM first to get some cash. Next, I stopped at the Aloha Laundromat near the 185th and TV Highway crossing. It opened at 7, and there was one other customer besides me and an attendant who helped me change a $20 into quarters (some things do not change; you need quarters for laundry–pun unintentional).

I discovered this was a well-maintained place with all the machines working, and I paid for a large wash ($5.50) and then a few bucks for the dryer. I was happy that the dryers were hot and that a buck got you more than thirty minutes. I remember some rip-off places where the dryers took forever and cost $$. I did two loads. Drove home with everything in the dryer, got hangers, and returned. I folded and hung up everything.

President Trump’s news conference on the terrible plane crash was on Fox News with sound. At first, it was a recognition of shared grief for the country and those who lost people. But then it deteriorated into a political attack on the previous administrations, explanations including the obvious statement like the helicopter and plane were at the same altitude (repeated by Fox News until they realized what they were saying) when they crashed together. It was, and I will include this here because it was part of my experiences, disgraceful. But I am sure that my conservative friends can point at other politicians who do the same thing at other events. But this moment impacted me, and I included it as part of my day. Awful!

I ignored the President and Fox and wrote the blog. My lesser hearing has some helpful editing now. I don’t have to hear something. Yes, I am turning into that guy who only hears when he wants to.

Leaving behind the rest of my quarters for the attendant, a few bucks, and Fox News repeating (after cleaning it up) the President’s message, I returned to the house and put away my clean clothing. I washed my face, took my pills, had some coffee and a snack, and was back inside Air VW the Gray. Lunch today is at McMenamins Cedar Hills with Scott.

I arrived early, and Scott was waiting for me. We had Captain Neon burgers (blue cheese, bacon, and veggies) and a Hammerhead Ale. We talked about more politics than usual (we both lean left) and agreed that we have to limit our intake of chaos. We talked about travel (Scott’s wife was in France for a business trip) and our confusion about investments. Trump and Wall Street seem more random than what was expected after the election.

We agree to diversify and have fewer hands-on investments. We decided that it is too easy to be drawn into a storyline and become invested in a stock, both financially and mentally. I have friends who swear by Tesla. The investment seems more emotional to me. Instead, I have Ford (F) shares, which have lost value while paying a good dividend. But my JP Morgan preferred stock shares have been perfect (JPM-D). Both pay about 4.5% dividends (higher now on F as it loses value–not an improvement!). I stay primarily with indexed funds in my managed 401K and only the balance in my books at the end of the month.

Scott and I will meet again on Thursday (though I have a delivery now that may push that).

I returned home and noticed more cold symptoms. My nose is running non-stop. I talk to Deborah a few times as she is done with work (a three-hour time difference) and head to Home Depot. I tour the store with a cart with sides to hold your sheets of construction material. I have two two-by-two wall boards that look punny on the cart. I had various tools and materials for patching walls. I also got some plates, plugs, and switches in all white. I plan to update the bathroom and bedroom plugs and switches. I also gather bug and ant spray. The pests are back, and I am unhappy with my ant people. I will replace them later.

I stop at the strip mall and plug in the EV for a 100% charge. This is a pay network for me, and after $14+, I have a full charge after forty-five minutes, going from 45 to 100%. I see another EV, and the gal gives me a dirty look for using the fast chargers. Folks are always in a rush, so I try not to look smug while I sit in my car. Later, still angry, she gets a fast charge station when another driver finishes, and she still looks like it was my fault that she was waiting. I talked to another driver, who said the issue with EVs is that all the fast chargers are always full of cars, and you must wait. He said you can’t get a charge on the coast, and thus, he can’t drive there. That is a fascinating observation; too many EVs in the area now. How unexpected. It does not match my observation, but there is more to follow.

Mom Wild was having a bad day and thought my sister committed maleficence with Mom’s assets, which I know is a sign of confusion. It is not true. I spend much of the charging time talking her down and telling her that she is fine and her expenses are covered. I have repeated the conversations I and other folks have had with Barb. She sees something she does not like and then spirals into patterns from ten years ago. I reassured her, and she finally returned to calm and reasonable behavior. Later, she called Linda, and they were OK now.

With Mom Wild (Barb) calm and Linda sending a happy text, I called Deborah back, and we chatted for a while. We talked about her trip, which is now just weeks away. We had a nice talk. Soon, I will be on the road again.

All these Air VW the Gray deliveries are to my house. I set up the saw horses and placed the items there for Friday. I look at the challenges and think I can do this. I dust off and head back to the EV.

I arrived at Z’s school, which was near her home. I brought flowers from Home Depot, and we enjoyed the middle school play version of Treasure Island. Z steals the show as Long John Silvers on Z’s crutch and one leg folded back. Unlike some other kids, Z’s mic is taped properly to Z’s face and picks up Z’s clear voicing. It was a fun play with some singing led by Z (“Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest” and so on).

I only had time for some snacks before the play, and for a second snack, I had more cheese and crackers. Time disappeared, and soon, I was late getting to bed. I did not manage any painting. Busy. Busy.

Thanks for reading.