Tuesday with Games and Dinner

I managed to skip the alcohol drinks on Tuesday, but I did have a large plate of chili con carne yesterday. My PJs seem to be tighter on Wednesday when I write this, I am sure it is my imagination…

Tuesdays include traveling to Portland in post-rush-hour traffic to Richard’s place to play cooperative games with Richard and James. The 6:30 alarm was unwelcome, but I managed to rise with it. I did not, as is my usual, wake minutes before it, but instead it blasted me out of my dreams. Coffee was assembled but not yet brewing as it is set to 7. I started it.

I, with focus, wrote the blog and quickly processed my transactions in Quicken, peeked at the news (depressing), and rushed through my email, unsubscribing from retail and political money-collecting emails. I am trying to help both by reducing their costs and setting appropriate expectations. I am retired with very limited income opportunities. Most of my inbound cash is generated from interest and dividends on the money I have invested in interest-bearing accounts and some limited short-term instruments.

I completed the blog but running into my time-box, rushed my shower, and found myself in light but still slow-moving traffic in Air VW the Gray. It was the lightest traffic I have experienced on this trip this year, but it was still a 45-minute trip to Richard’s place. Even the signs were saying 50 mph while we were going 10, a sort of cheerleading from ODoT. I was ten minutes late. James, coming the other way from Washington State, was also late.

We returned to Tainted Grail and learned, to some frustration, that the Holy Grail we had finally recovered was a copy. Our characters are starting to work more effectively together and gain improved abilities as we collect resources and move around more frequently. We are working more like a team. I also think this chapter, 3A, is better assembled and gives me hope for the remaining ten chapters. We play, trying to move the story forward, until 1:45, most of the time was invested in playing and less in game mechanics and accounting. These role-playing game-style board games with an app often are, to me, filled with a mind-numbing process and upkeep. I prefer paper-and-pencil versions or online tools that fit that model, like Roll20, but it has been interesting to play these games. I like the combat system and the diplomacy.

We take a risk and undertake a challenging diplomatic task that I was initially against trying. Too many times have I seen that you suddenly have no resources and cannot play without spending hours restocking. Totally boring to me. However, we all managed to push it through with some luck and a lot of cards played.

(I loved this sign at the Broadway Grill)

I had mixed feelings about the game, as I felt we were spending too much time on the process. I also detected the colors running out of the world and sadness rising in me. So, I ignore my doubts about the game and instead stop at the Broadway Grill for a late lunch. Iced tea and a falafel pita sandwich were my calorie-appropriate lunch. I also wrote a card for Mom Wild.

I carried my Apple laptop with me. I began researching flights to Boston for the Thanksgiving holiday. I found reasonable holiday flights (under $600) once I spread out my travel dates. I will chat with Clint later to set dates.

I started my work on preparing for the class on Sunday. This one is about our church, and mostly me to compose and execute. I will invest more time on Wednesday and Thursday, and then stop. Four times the length of the class is more than enough time to invest in preparing.

Feeling the depression rising, I walk in Portland searching for a mailbox for my card. I see many places that interest me, and I take pictures of the area. I find the colors returning, and the sadness fades into a memory. It will haunt me a few times for the rest of the day.

I find that the Postal Annex has a box, and I drop my card there. I skip the excellent bakery and cross the street. In Portland, the cars stop for you at marked crossings. I was trying to get my phone out for a photo when I heard the tap of a horn, raised my arm in acknowledgment of the mistake, and walked the rest of the way red-faced.

I reached the Broadway Bookstore and found cards and political postcards with messages for our elected officials, and I picked up a few of those. One is headed soon to the FCC Chairman. You can see the postcards at Stronge Feeling Press’s website (here).

I had parked the EV on Broadway, which is now reduced to two lanes and has angled parking. This means folks will back into traffic. The staff, while appreciating the changes (I could now find a parking spot), noted that there have been many accidents and that traffic is slower through the area now. Richard had mentioned that he resides in Portland a few times and dislikes it.

I returned home via tall bridges and then drove back into Portland NW to connect to an alternative way when I saw the huge traffic mess just off the bridge. My Nav was repeatedly telling me it was messy and had a twenty-minute wait. Instead, I got to enjoy seeing areas in NW I had not seen in a few years, and then crossed the hills on backroads.

I returned to the house without further adventures. I blew through one red light that I didn’t see until it was too late. I also made some messy lane changes as I corrected. I also drove the EV fast in the curves until I discovered the usual slower traffic. Again, despite the extra-legal mistakes and speeding, it was a nice drive.

Home, I got the mail, rested for a bit, and managed not to eat anything. I was tired and started the Foundation on Apple+ to relax. I am ending season 1. I have been told that season 3 is the best.

Off to Beaverton and meeting Dondrea and Z for a birthday dinner for Dondrea. We talked about travel, school, sports, and some items from my class. Dondrea and I love the chili Colorado, and Z got Mexican-style tacos. We shared a flan that was thick and more caramel-flavored than most I have had (almost a thick pudding). Excellent.

With us saying goodbye, I returned home. The colors suddenly ran out again (notice the sun is down), and I am sad, I am sure I do not want to go on, and unbidden thoughts run through my mind. I am reacting to the dark! Richard’s basement has no sunlight (but some lightning). I need to turn on the lights and not sit in the dark, like when I am driving. Wow! Never been here before.

Susie had the issue, and I changed the lights, but I have not kept that up. I will update the lights and ensure I have lights. I noticed that I slept better a few times with the light on. Hmmm. I am also always scared in the dark. My imagination runs riot.

With a light on, I watch Foundation and feel better. I am tired, get in my PJs, read in bed with a light, and feel better. I do turn off the light and sleep as I am nodding off in my book, Bismarck.

Light and exercise! Thanks for reading.