Busy Thursday

Going backward, I arrived at the house in Air VW the Gray at about 11:30, almost Friday. I put out the trash and lawn-waste containers, as our pickup date here is Friday. I then read a new physical book, The Devil and Sherlock Holmes by David Gann, until midnight, when I finished the first story. The book was a gift from Dondrea and Z.

I took the book to Portland and read it while on the MAX. I did not want to carry a Kindle and my phone. Yes, I can read my book on the iPhone, but the screen is smaller and backlit, which is harder on my eyes. This is the larger paperback version, so the print was easy and lighter. Also, if I lose it, I can easily replace it. I usually stick the Kindle in a coat pocket, but that was not today.

The day was warm, sunny, and shockingly dry. Once again, somehow Oregon switches back and forth from Pacific Northwest gray and endless rains to cloudless, warm sunny Northern California. Yes, a Schrödinger’s cat version of the local weather. Or, it is like randomly switching from 1980s bands like Nirvana and Tears for Fears. Yikes!

I thought it a perfect day for a concert and dinner in Portland. I switched to a dress shirt and a sweater vest to be warm as it will be a fabulous evening. I took the EV to the nearby Quatama MAX station and boarded after scanning the app on my phone. I found a comfortable seat in a near-empty train and read and doom-scrolled the news.

Deborah was available, so we chatted on the phone while I traveled and then walked through Portland, having left the train at the Library stop. The chess board in Director Park with giant chess pieces was set up, left at a sacrificial opening and just entering the midgame. It is an opening I have not seen before, and white seemed to have paid too much for its board position. The game was stopped with an offer for a queen exchange. I marveled at the board, and I am afraid I bored Deborah with my explanations of a chess setup she could not see. I returned after making a circle, and the queen exchange was declined. Makes me want to get back into chess. Hmmm. Later, the board was changed, and the chess game was no longer sensible. I was surprised by how shocked I was.

The chess pieces are put away each night at Director Park. I went back to look and maybe set up the game, but it was too late, and the pieces were safely resting somewhere. I suspect large chess pieces three feet tall would get up to some non-chess mischief if left out.

I rang off and walked to the mall and walked the river built into the floor like we did years ago when it had a glass lighted river (now it is filled with tile-like substance, but has LEDs here and there). Next, I headed to South Park (the local restaurant, not the cartoon), my old standby place for food and booze near Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Lee was my bartender, and Matt, the other bartender, poured me some heavy red I look for when I visit their bar. They never have average wines, and I seldom knew the wine they discovered. The food, while expensive, is near the best in Portland. I see more suits and travelers now, as this is an expense report joint, and less local. The cheap, excellent bar menu is now a memory. However, I was still early and got a 17% reduction on my bill. But I paid $1.50 to use a credit card, and the bill included a 20% tip. My bill was less than I expected.

I enjoyed their fish board, which included local smoked trout and salmon in various forms and one choice from the cheeses. The bread and butter were also good, and this was a large meal. However, I turned away from the mains, all of which were over $30. Adding homemade crackers, cheese, fresh bread and butter, and wine created an excellent and filling meal.

I was early to the show and walked around as I described, finally circling to the theater. I got lost once as twilight confused my sense of direction, but I found my way after spotting the towers now with lights. The Schnitzer was all lighted up. I read for a few minutes while sitting on a ledge until the doors opened. Tonight, they will show the movie Amadeus, a fictional story about Mozart and Antonio Salieri set in the early 1800s but with live choir and orchestra.

I bought the cheap seat that still had a good view, near my old season ticket seats in X, in a near-empty row on the upper balcony, row W seat 1. This row has a clear view, while the lower ones are blocked by people finding their seats. I remembered all this when ordering seats. Excellent. I was relieved that the movie was with CC, as my hearing was not great with words, but the music was clear and excellent. The crowd laughed at the jokes and comedy, and I could hear the breath intake when Salieri burns a cross in frustration with God.

I enjoyed the movie; many young folks saw it for the first time in the cheap seats. It surprised me that it has been forty years since its initial showing and winning a pile of awards. I forgot how good it was, and it was undoubtedly improved with live music.

After the show, I walked directly to the MAX as it was after 11 and MAX closes around midnight. I saw an older woman trip on the curb and fall. I helped her to her feet, and she thanked me and then walked on, no worse for wear, as you say.

Next, I found a comfortable seat on MAX. My app first complained that I had no money in my account (you have to draw cash and store it in the app instead, like NYC, get a charge for each use. I also paid for a virtual card to hold this money–ugh–but it was a one-time cost. I like NYC’s process better. Also, you must start the app to use it; NYC just charges you. Hmmm. I read my book until my station.

Moving back in the day, I started about 7 with my alarm and wrote the blog. I got coffee started in the French Press and had a light breakfast of toast, my milk bread, and yogurt. The blog took much of the morning. I connected with Dondrea on text and learned that Z’s 28 Feb birthday party was Saturday. I was free to see the movie tonight. I ordered tickets.

I showered and dressed. Air VW the Gray was still at 90% charge, meaning I had not plugged it in. I boarded the EV and met Scott at Cedar Hills McMenamins. I had a salad with some chicken added. Scott had a plant-based burger (they are great; I tried them). We had a Hammerhead beer and talked money and financial planning. We also covered experiences with aging parents. We both conclude that at a rate of 4-something % interest on short-duration CDs, we should pull cash, pay the taxes, and hold that for a few years to pay expenses. Any market fluctuations (caused by Trump’s tariffs and like actions, market crashes, war, disaster, or events) will not threaten paying our bills or make us withdraw at a loss. To be clear, get some investments out of the market into safe cash, with tax paid, and ready for bills. More on that later. After lunch and drinks, we headed our separate ways with plans to meet again next week.

Next, I returned home but also took care of church items that cannot be described here. I read and then wrote up some paperwork for the church. I did the dishes, changed my clothing, and headed to Portland for the movie and live music.

And that takes us, dear reader, full circle. Thanks for reading.