I rose early, rolling over at first at 6, but finally moving and having coffee at 6:30. I had to start the coffee I had prepared the night before; the clock is set for 7 on the coffee maker. I then rushed through writing the blog, as I had to be out the door at 8:45 to arrive on time at Richard’s house around 9:30 for our return to the cooperative board game, Tainted Grail. I also did, though rushed, read email, updating transactions in Quicken, and taking a dose of bad news, I read the news. I updated my IRA balance after checking it in detail, a process I perform to ensure everything looks accurate. Soon, I took a quick shower, shaved, and got ready. I was in Air VW the Gray about ten to 9 and soon was going slow in Bearverton.
The traffic on Highway 26 and 405 was not heavy, though it had many stops and starts. I arrived only a few minutes late. I had a breakfast of a bagel-like local bread product with cream cheese and a banana, along with Zabar’s roast from NYC for my coffee. The game took another thirty minutes to set up and to remember the previous plan, a month ago. James and I were traveling. We start to explore the world that is Tainted Grail, and we are on chapter 2 (there are 15), and it seems to be wrapping up this story. We learned that there are three or more story lines flowing at the same time, and you connect with one and take it to completion. We had been sampling more than focusing.
We finally understood the maps and board and located Kamlot, one of the possible goals. I was excited to finally reach a focus. James and I managed to complete some diplomatic quests, and Richard fought some more monsters. We were then offered details that cannot be shared as this is protected content, to move to the next chapter. We agreed, though Richard wanted to explore more in chapter 2 and get more stuff. That ended the game for this session. Next week, we will start with chapter 3A.
I headed back and picked up Michael R at the church, and we both had no lunch, and stopped at the Oswego Grill for lunch. I wanted to try a few more items. I had the Chicken Marsala while Michael R had the stuffed salmon. It was not a cheap bill, as I had a glass of wine, $15 alone, but I wanted to try a few items. I was not that happy with my lunch; the chicken did not cut with a fork, and it was plain, not covered with flour or breading. The flavorful sauce and the mashed potatoes brought it back, and I would be challenged to match those.
We next headed to The 649, where Kiley was bartending. We had coffee and then decided on the board game Concordia, as Burning Banners was not punched yet and was complex. I did the teach of the game, remember the points I missed when I did this with Deborah. I then helped Michael R play for the first third of the game, and then gave advice after that as requested or to help him when stuck. Michael R began to understand that in Concordia, the turns are easy, but they must be done in a sequence that produces an efficient result. For example, if you want to use your Architect card to build outposts, you need the money and resources. Unless you have more colonists, your placement will be restricted to areas near your previous build. Often, you need to build up. I often see Z, when playing the same game, create a collection of cards with resources and money stacked on the cards as Z plans the turn sequence. I got a red ale (excellent!) as we reached the last part of the game. Michael R stayed with coffee.
Michael R missed winning by eight points. I held the Weaver Card, but he had the Farmer and Vinter Cards, and I ended the game (gaining seven points) by building my last three outposts in one move. We were done as they were setting up for trivia night. Time to go!
I dropped Michael R off at his home, with him interested in playing again. I headed home. I took out frozen raw chicken (Costco) and thawed it by running water. That took a while. I watched the new episode of Murders Only in the Building and enjoyed it, but there was a lack of chemistry between the leads of the show. I hope that improves. I cut up the chicken, once mostly thawed, and fried it in a large metal pan. The pan developed a brown crust; I was careful not to burn it. I spooned out the excessive drippings, added Maya Kaimal’s Coconut Curry Mild Indian Simmer Sauce, and scraped off the brown bits that dissolved into the sauce. I managed to slip once and splatter my shirt with delicious coconut curry sauce.
I washed a 1/2 cup of basmati rice and cooked it with only one over-boil, making a small mess. I found some frozen naan, and I heated that too. It was a grand feast, but I managed to pack most of it away for another dinner, including a spare naan.
I did the dishes and put away the laundry from Monday that was out. I assembled the coffee and was stumbling, tired. Hmmm.
Ignoring my body, I went to my office and did some more research on Christian denominational history. I made a list of significant events I need to cover for my class. I get only 45 minutes on Sunday; my talk needs to be focused.
It was getting late, and I changed into my PJs, took my meds, took more inhaler, and some painkillers (various things hurt), and soon drifted off to sleep. The images of Tuesday night’s dreams have faded this Wednesday morning, but I remember being in a dream-lecture on Christian history and trying to take notes and remember all the facts (it is all gone now). Somehow, a horse riding arena was involved (Linda and I talked about her riding in a show recently), and somehow the history lesson became mixed into reading a dressage test and execution (sorry if the intricacies of horse riding and dressage are a mystery to you, dear reader). I, in the dream, was desperately trying to take notes, read the test, and get my lesson for Sunday together with all these facts. Linda was off course. I woke with my alarm. I rolled over.
Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 