Busy Thursday in PDX

No coffee! I slept until 7:30, put on my slippers, found the kitchen (it has not moved), and discovered I forgot to assemble the coffee the night before. Ugh! I made the coffee and retreated to the office while the process ran.

I started on the blog, but Wednesday was a quiet day, and the blog was short. I had appointments on Thursday, but they were later, so I was not rushed. I write the blog with my experiences of the day and some thoughts, musing if you like, but it is not a contest with myself to reach a word count. I try to get to 500, as anything below that is more a text than a blog entry.

Having finished the Canadian mystery/crime novel, switched to history for a while. I picked up the 1940s reprint of the 1930 updated version of Office History of the War: Naval Operations III (Text). I have the original 1923 version with the maps, which were not included in my newer copy. I read more about this version of the history of Jutland 1916 and compared it to my memory of all the other accounts I have read. I now see that this version fits the truths we know and the fiction created by human storytelling.

With my mind swirling about events over 100 years ago, I showered, dressed, and boarded Air VW the Gray. I met Scott at McMenamins  Cedar Hills for lunch. Today we both went with the non-meat Mystic Burger with a salad. We did get two beers. We chatted about travel, finances, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Scott has asked me to consider how to explain and use AI with our knowledge of computer systems and software design. As a pair of gray-beards (a term used for folks who built the existing systems, I take it to mean wise ones and not pejorative), could we be of value by adding AI to what we already know? A mix of the overwhelming practicality of Gray-beards and new capabilities. It is an interesting thought, and I am following it up.

I returned to the house in the EV and took the Zoom meeting for a brief church meeting. For those who speak Methodist, it was the S/PRC meeting, and it was blessedly short. This committee deals with people issues at a Methodist church and comes with all the obvious horrid problems, but today, it was perfunctory. Excellent.

Early, Scott reminded me it was May Day and First Thursday in the Pearl. This means the art galleries stay open late and serve wine and finger foods. Protests were also planned. I decided to try both, reboarded Air VW the Gray, and soon was at the MAX station and boarded a train. But I noticed my ‘touch’ did not go through on my phone. I had not paid for the trip! Yikes. I disembarked at the next station, touched again, and this time the iHop (sounding like breakfast) app billed me. I was legal now. Call me old-fashioned, but I hate to trust an app for this stuff. I believe my reloading of the virtual card, which was low, had overwritten the fare purchase. Hmmm. I miss NYC’s pay and go using Apple Pay and like phone pay products instead of a virtual card and an app.

With that excitement over, I met folks with signs headed to Pioneer Square for a May Day protest against the Trump Administration. I did not see any counter-protestors on the MAX, a problem we had a few years ago. I also met Michael R from church, visiting others across town. We chatted until I hit my stop, Pioneer Square. I decided that I prefer Art to potential tear-gassing today and took the transfer to the Green Line.

On the new train, a person of color pointed out that I looked Aryan and thus would never be questioned, while they would always be assumed to be suspicious. The person then explained why they are a CIA agent and that I would make a poor agent. Their friend agreed that this double-blind worked. I smiled and was off two stops later. I never felt threatened, and it was not hard to agree with their conclusion.

I walked to the Pearl District, and it was too early for First Thursday (starting at 5ish). I stopped at Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House in the Pearl and had a brew and an appetizer. When folks left, I got a seat at the bar and had one of the Black Butte Porter, their best item. I chatted with some folks trying not to talk politics on May Day with sign-waving folks everywhere. I tried to speak above the noise about travel and got quizzed on my favorite places (Istanbul and New Orleans). It was a pleasant snack and drink.

Next, I found about five galleries and liked some of the stuff. I did not get any wine (the beer was enough). The Armory had tables and someone singing jazz for the evening (5-9). I stayed for a bit. I met one artist at one gallery I had read about, and was happy to visit. They had recently moved; the space was the usual white walls with strong light. I like the story the art told and the colors (here if you want a peek).

The SMG Collective was a furniture/art store with prices that were the same as flights to Europe and a hotel! But there, they had a collection of wood and wax to light as a smudge for $12, and it was the first thing I could afford at any of these shows (being retired). I took that home and even bought a bag, and they wrapped it in tissue. It was all grand.

Clive Knight’s pieces, which are collage art created with recycled paper, were shown at Laura Vincent Design and Gallery, a gallery I have walked by many times. The space had tall white walls, and wine and food were offered, but I demurred. I liked the art, but cannot understand how the artist can tear, paint, and glue things to create an emotion; I would just make a mess. Art is a mystery to me. I like to visit it.

With a few galleries not listed here (some not mentioned as they did not interest me, and/or I did not look like a customer and was ignored), I walked to Ground Kontrol (making a detour when I remembered I wanted to do that). I played video games and pinball for about thirty minutes. I managed to burn 1/3 of the value of my card, which I used to pay. One of my pinball plays was so poor that the machine kept giving me a second try. Yes, that bad the machine was forgiving me and letting me try again–I counted six plays for the usual three. I recommend the “Game of Thrones” pinball as it is more forgiving with a constant note, “Winter is Coming!” I enjoyed the new and more expensive version of Asteroids, but my score was also embarrassingly low. Somewhere, I could hear “Elric” laughing and razzing me. More practice!

Next, I took the Green Line back to an emptying Pioneer Square. I spotted the folks I talked to on the train, and they said it was a pleasant protest. The most significant issue was finding an open bar to get drinks when they were done. Yes, liberals in Portland! They took the MAX back. I decided to look for that bar.

Swine is one of Dondera’s favorite places. I stopped there and tried to enjoy the outside, but I was swarmed by tiny bugs (it is just May, after all). I had their steak and fries (more protein after my nearly all-carb snack). This with an Old Fashioned was an excellent mix. It’s a nice place.

With some food and a relaxing boozy drink (all at Portland prices) consumed, I paid, thanked the staff (who were bored as the customer count was low, likely due to the activities), and soon found a MAX train back, remembering to get a proper scan.

I took an older train and forgot how tall and uneven the steps are. I did not fall, but I did have to hold on. I will look for the new kinder and gentler versions.

I returned home without issue and plugged in the now-about-40-charged EV. I have been avoiding charging it when it is above a 50% charge (100+ miles of travel), as there is no need (like a gas car, I don’t fuel it daily). I read more about Jutland and am returning to another book to read more versions. This other book, written by an American Naval Officer, is strongly opinionated and highly critical of the British. While he quotes and refers to different sources, there are no footnotes. However, as the sources are limited during the writing, I can connect his quotes and sources–I have most of it (missing only one book that is so often quoted, I feel I have already read it too). With dreams of WW1 ships flying across the Gray Reaches, I fell alseep.

Sadly, I did not keep hydrated, and at 4ish, my legs were stiff and painful. I had to wake and get some painkillers and water. I managed to sleep again.

Thanks for reading.