Movie and Writing on Friday

I was home late on Friday, around 11, and in bed before midnight. I read some rules for an 18XX game and soon turned off the light, closed my eyes, rolled over twice, and then found myself in forgotten dreams, likely having found my dream silver key and entered the lands of my imagination and magic. I did not wake until just before my alarm set at 7:30, and still did not rise until later on Saturday.

Kathleen had met me earlier at the Clackamas Town Center for the new movie, Naked Gun. The movie, like previous ones, continued with the jokes and silliness of the previous ones. The new crew was funny and played it straight, and kept with all the jokes and overly precise language. I laughed through it, and you had to be fast to check all the jokes. For example, the police cars were not tagged as the LAPD but “The Police.” They let jokes like this go by with no comment. Recommended, but it is not intellectual stuff.

After that, Kathleen and I headed to the Cheesecake Factory at the mall. We sat in the bar; there was a twenty-minute wait for a regular table. We closed the place, leaving at 10; we ate and talked about writing, travel, and games. We have not caught up in months.

Earlier, Kathleen found me at a table in the food court, still writing. I read her a few words and showed her Scribner. We later agreed to meet in Portland on a few Fridays for a writing session. Kathleen wants to get back to writing.

Before this, I was at the Lucky Labadore with a beer and peanuts on their outdoor porch. The shade and a cool breeze made it quite pleasant (the sun baked you if you left the shade). I added more to my novel and finished the basic story for chapter 3, but I would revise the story to hint at later moments in the text. I wanted to have two themes, one hidden, running through this third chapter.

I am using Grammarly to help edit, but I am meticulous about just fixing mistakes or replacing better words. The AI tool still wants to simplify and remove content that it does not understand. I find I have to re-read everything if I expose my text to its changes. It always seems to replace a word I thought I had kept.

I received a memo from the church committe SPR/C. I will edit that on Saturday. This is more homework from our meeting on Thursday. I read it, thought about it, and then returned to my beer and story. I want to have some uninterrupted time for that — I am time-boxed this Friday.

Before reaching Portland, the traffic was near rush-hour level at 3ish, from US Bank. I met Sam, my banker, at a bank branch, and we discussed various financial topics, including money and investments. I brought a check for the residual earnings from my 401K to be added to my IRA managed by Sam and the Wealth Management team at the bank, just under $550. We reviewed the finances of selling the house and investing the profits to cover my rent, which would likely be a break-even point. Hmmm.

I have no plans to sell soon. Deborah also pointed out that updates to the house, making it a “turn-key” sale, would increase the price and speed of a sale. Additionally, I would get to enjoy those updates. All good thoughts.

Sam and I also reviewed the bond market. Given that 20-year bonds are currently priced at 5% rates and Trump has promised to lower rates with Powell’s replacement, it’s likely that bonds purchased now will be at the top rate. That makes them valued at a premium once Trump dumps the rates (an easy sale). A no-risk investment that makes 5% (that is not taxed by the state) and can be sold at a profit; yes, good times! Bonds may beat equities!

Being a liberal and making a killing from Trump’s strange monetary policies seems the best revenge. It is a pleasure to work with the professionals at US Bank. The bank manager even loaned us her office for our discussion. Here is my usual comment on cash (it is a repeat, but still true): here. I am currently at an annualized return of 16%.

Go ahead, Trump, make my day (and return)!

Before this money love-fest, I was at the house writing the blog, drinking liberal coffee, and having a light breakfast. I had a banana and peanut butter toast. I rose early and talked to Deborah for part of the morning. We spoke often during the day as I traveled here and there.

I was not sad for most of the day. Talking about selling the house made me very sad. I will avoid that topic for the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for reading.