Friday Pearl and Movie

I rose with the sunrise. My old boss suggested I get curtains to let me sleep in the summer. The sunrise gets pretty early in mid-summer, but I like to wake with the morning, no matter the time.

I had no plans, but Kathleen suggested we do a movie together on Friday afternoon. Details would follow if that were to happen. I grabbed the laundry and got it into The Machine, but I did not strip the bed. It was a sunny but cool morning, and I thought about heading to Portland for lunch. Breakfast was a slightly aging croissant that I had purchased from La Provence. I spoke to Deborah and received a few texts from her in the morning. We like to start and end our days together.

I wrote the blog and decided not to touch the 3D printer, as my throat was still sore from the fumes. It was likely dried out by exposure to the evaporating industrial alcohol that I use to clean the prints (99% pure). I decided a break was good. I was also running low on resin; another shipment was due on Saturday. This order is filled from Amazon.com, with no shipping or membership costs. It was interesting that shipping is not charged when you turn down the membership and then accept two-day shipping. Who knew it was free anyway? The resin maker charges ten dollars for shipping on its USA website and has a more complex return process.

With the blog published, I showered, dressed, and boarded Air VW the Gray (at 52% charge) and headed into the parking lot-like traveling to Portland from Aloha via Beaverton. Twice, I got horns as I went to change lanes. The car warning system, and I did not see the other vehicle in my driver’s side back-panel area. I need to adjust the mirror, and I will turn my head further. A blind spot for me and the VW! This did not happen in LA or on my travels from Beaverton to LA and back.

I arrived safely in the parking garage in The Pearl in Portland. I skipped the EV charge station and took a regular space. I do not know if it was a free charge; next time, I will check.

I found Deshutes Public House a perfect place for lunch. I had the special, pulled Hawaiian-style pork, rice, soup, macaroni salad, and a summer Kölsch beer. The folks were friendly and I read my book, Tom Mead’s Magician Detective, Cabaret Macabre, set in the UK in the late 1930s. I enjoy these as I have often imagined another me, in another life, doing stage magic and not computer stuff. There is a lot in common with training an AI model and getting a rabbit out of a hat. No, really!

I had dessert, and it was almost too heavy to eat. The coffee I had with it helped, but I am cutting down my coffee use (use seems a more correct word than consumption, I think). I need to get down to three cups a day or less. I made a 1/2 pot today.

I was walking to Powell’s City of Books when Kathleen connected with me by text, and soon we negotiated a meeting at her house, with enough time for me to get a floor or two of Powell’s. I was interested in more postcards for Mom Wild and maybe something for Deborah. I found both on 1 and 1/2 floors and was soon back in the EV, trying to cross Portland to Milwaukee (Oregon). I arrived at Kathleen’s and we headed to the theater.

We did Lilo and Stitch, the live-action remake. It was funny and poignant—all the things an excellent Disney movie should be. I laughed and cried. I thought Disney had found its groove with this one. Recommended.

Next, we had industrial-Italian-style food at Olive Garden. Other choices were further away, and we did not want to enjoy Portland traffic again. I love the salad. We stayed with non-alcoholic drinks and talked about movies, gaming, travel, and house items. We both liked our meals, and they were perfect for Olive Garden’s skill level.

As I backtracked my path, I managed to get Kathleen and me home without incident. I arrived home in the EV as the sun was setting. Next, I watched more Apple+ Severance and then went to bed. I read for a while and nodded off. I could sleep the night, only waking once to prove hydration despite the endless iced teas I had at Olive Garden.

Thanks for reading.